Virtual Mode

by Piers Anthony

The horse was doubtful. I have not been able to penetrate any mind in this reality.

  But Seqiro couldn't get into any untame mind in his own reality without that person's permission. This might merely be a more extreme case of that. I will try to open his mind.

  Then she summoned Mare. "Let's see what you can do when you go all out," she told the Equine. "Make me into a princess. That is your service today."

  Mare smiled. This was a challenge she was ready to tackle. She swung into a program that demonstrated more competence than Colene had realized existed.

  Soon she was clean and garbed in a scintillating pale green dress which made her look twice as good as she could ever be. She had never thought of herself as voluptuous, but in this outfit she was long-legged, sleek-hipped, narrow-waisted, and with a decolletage that could have come from a classic painting. Her face and hair were angelic; special reflective pins even gave the impression of a halo.

  Colene stared at herself in the mirror. She would not have believed that she could be this adorable! It was said that clothes made the man, but men were pretty dull physically, regardless. It was the woman that clothes made. She was the living proof of it.

  Too bad she had to waste this on Ddwng. She would much rather have wowed Darius. But it was in her mind that the Emperor did have some reason for this frequent interaction with her, and it probably wasn't sexual, so it was suspicious. If she could manage to dazzle him just a little, to get him closely focused while Seqiro was tuning in, maybe, just maybe, there would be an avenue to get Seqiro into his mind. It was certainly worth a good try.

  Stallion guided her to the shuttle. Here in the palace the windows to other cities or ships or worlds weren't used; it was more physical. Maybe because such windows represented accesses to the palace, and it was supposed to be secure from intrusion. The shuttle was nice enough; it was like an enclosed amusement park ride, gently wafting to its destination. Stallion maneuvered it to Ddwng's dining hall, let her out, and took it back; private personal nulls were not welcome in the hall itself. Only the palace nulls.

  Ddwng was there, resplendent in a purple robe which complemented her dress perfectly. A little alarm sounded somewhere in her head: coincidence? No, probably he had known what she was wearing—because probably those walls had eyes here, just as on the FTL Flay, and he had access to those eyes. This could be confirmation of her prior suspicion that they were all being watched.

  But no one here could see what was in their minds. Seqiro had ascertained that. So if she never voiced her true feelings, they could be known only through her actions—and she was pretty good at masking feelings.

  She took the Emperor's elbow and walked with him to the table. The Ovine nulls were there. Ram placed Ddwng's chair, Ewe placed Colene's, and Sheep stood by for their order.

  Colene hardly noticed the excellent exotic food. She was genuinely interested in Ddwng this time, but not in as flattering a way as he might suppose. She wanted to tune his mind to things which Seqiro might read. She hoped that if the subject were narrow enough, and the interest strong enough, and she were close enough, serving as a focusing point, it just might work. It had to work, because it just wasn't safe to be ignorant.

  She started obliquely. "You know, in my reality, things like antigravity and faster-than-light travel are impossible. They just can't be done. Are you sure that—?"

  "The fundamental laws of physics differ from reality to reality," Ddwng said. "We have known that, and understand that there are realities in which our science is inoperative, but where magic is operative, or psionic powers. Darius comes from a reality with magic, and his companion Provos appears to remember the future. That, to us, is paradoxical."

  "She knows the future?" Despite herself, Colene got distracted. "I was with her only briefly, before she was matter-mitted to the ship to rejoin Darius, but it was my impression that even if we had spoken a common language, we wouldn't have gotten far. She seemed to know what we were about to do, but not what had just happened."

  "We are studying her. We find it interesting that her ability does appear to operate in this reality. That suggests that the fundamental laws may not be what they seem."

  Was there a chance that Darius could do magic here? That he could conjure them both away? That seemed too wonderful to be believed!

  If she knows the future here, she knows what is to become of us, Seqiro thought.

  But Colene was determined not to just let the future happen. She wanted to do whatever was in her power to make it the right future.

  She smiled most innocently at Ddwng. "Maybe you should ask her about your own future. I mean, about getting the Chip."

  "You do not want me to have it?"

  "I didn't say that!"

  I am getting a bit, Seqiro thought. He knows you are trying to deceive him.

  "You do wish me to have it?" Ddwng asked, amused.

  "I didn't say that either," she said ruefully.

  I am finding an avenue. It is very narrow, but I am attuning. He is fascinated by you, but not as a woman. He is intrigued by the challenge of fathoming your motives.

  "Perhaps it would be best if you were open with me," Ddwng said.

  "I'm afraid you're going to rape me," she said, her deathwish causing her to tread the brink.

  He guffawed. For that the sound was direct rather than through the translation ball. "I have no interest in taking any woman involuntarily. I have any I want, either null or human. Set aside your fear."

  "Rape can be more than physical. What do you want with my mind?"

  He studied her for a long moment before responding.

  There is something horrible, Seqiro thought. Maintain the dialogue, if you can.

  "There are three things I want of you," Ddwng said. "I want the information you possess about the neighboring realities, so that at such time as I enter them, I am aware of their assets and their pitfalls."

  True.

  "That's okay by me," she said.

  "I want you to persuade Darius to guide me to the Chip."

  True.

  "I guess that's up to him," she said guardedly. "I don't see why I should try to influence him."

  "Perhaps you will change your mind when you know more of my rationale."

  There is something devious here.

  "What's the third thing you want of me?" Trying to be nonchalant, she took a sip of her alien fizz-drink. It wasn't alcoholic; she would have gotten sick if it was. Ever since the rape scene, she had detested alcohol.

  "I want you to be my consort."

  Colene choked, dribbling liquid on her gown. Immediately, Ewe was there, with sponges, efficiently cleaning her up. But at least the delay gave her a chance to commune with Seqiro before replying.

  This is not an evil thing. It is innocent. Something else is evil.

  Innocent? That's marriage!

  No, this is form only. You can agree without compromise.

  You had better be right, Seqiro! Darius is the only man I—But that remained a complex emotional mess too.

  Her seizure had concluded. "I thought you had no such interest."

  "I see you misunderstand. I have many consorts. All are attractive women. Most are mistresses. Their proximity to me gives them unique authority, for it is known that I do not like to embarrass them. I sometimes use them as emissaries. I would like to have you with me as I make a business trip this coming period, and the proper format for this is as consort."

  True. But there is something else. You have his attention; question him.

  Colene leaned forward, evincing the appropriate amount of suspicion as well as presenting a bit more of the flesh of her bosom for inspection. "You mean I should go traveling with you, and everyone will think I'm having sex with you, but it won't be true?"

  "Correct, if that is the way you wish it."

  True.

  "And maybe I'll have to do some public task for you, the way Darius is with that far-flung mission?"

  "Correct. You should find it i
nteresting."

  True.

  "And this is the way things are done in the Empire, so it's okay and won't sully my reputation?"

  "Correct."

  True.

  "And somewhere along the way I should talk Darius into giving you the Chip?"

  "Correct. I believe your word will influence him."

  True.

  "Though he thinks I'm having sex with you?" she asked sweetly.

  He is receiving information. I think you are under constant surveillance, and he knows your heart rate and muscle tension. He knows you are hiding something, and wants to know what it is, but he can not read minds so must persuade you to cooperate. He is enjoying the challenge.

  "I see that this would be disruptive," Ddwng said. "But there is no problem. Darius will be informed of the nature of the relationship, if you wish."

  Now Colene took a long moment, gazing at him. She was not considering her answer; she was focusing on Seqiro's thoughts.

  All that he has told you is true. But there is something he knows would distress you greatly, that he hides. It ties in with Darius. That is what you must ascertain.

  "Ddwng, I don't know what's going on in your mind," she said in what she judged was a three-quarter truth. "And you don't know what's going on in mine." Another three-quarter truth. "You're playing these little games with me, wasting your time, when all you have to do is drug me and make me do anything. It doesn't make sense."

  "You are perceptive. But it does make sense."

  He is playing with you as a cat does with a mouse.

  "I'll make you this deal, Ddwng: I'll do all those things you are asking me to do, if you will tell me exactly what your real game is."

  Ddwng smiled. "Then the game will be over."

  Now he is thinking of it. I have it! Agree to everything. I will cover this with you later.

  Colene trusted Seqiro. But she didn't like to capitulate readily, as a matter of obscure principle. "Then maybe I'll just do none of those things. What do you say to that?"

  "I would not recommend such a course."

  There is something else. He is grim.

  "So what would you do about it?" she demanded, treading the brink again.

  "I would have your horse vivisected."

  True.

  She stared at him. "You aren't kidding, are you!"

  "I do not joke. But I would hope that such inducement would not be necessary."

  She sighed. "Okay, you win. I agree to do the three things you say you want of me."

  "Excellent."

  He is surprised. To him your moods and decisions are strange. He can not be sure when you are telling the truth.

  They finished the meal. Then Stallion came to escort her back to her suite.

  Colene had Horse tune the wall-screen to an entertainment program. She did not relate well to the sort of television the Empire had, but it gave her a cover for her contact with Seqiro. That business about vivisecting him had her seething. But she knew that was only part of what was wrong. Now tell me what gives. What's Ddwng's big secret?

  He told Darius that if he does not cooperate, you will be lobotomized and the reproductive cells of your body taken surgically for use by the people of this reality, to replenish their stock. They are too conformist, genetically; they must introduce variety, or suffer slow degeneration.

  Colene was stunned. Now she knew why Darius was playing the game! She was the cause of it.

  She tried to keep her face straight and her body relaxed, so that the hidden sensors could not read her reactions well. Whoever was watching her would know that something was bothering her, but might assume it was the stupid wall-program. Or the threat to her horse, which wasn't far wrong.

  The more she dwelled on this news, the firmer her reaction became. It was utter fury. The Emperor was keeping her close to him and treating her like a great lady, while threatening her horse and herself with dire consequences. Rape? He was expert at it!

  So what was she going to do about it? Ddwng seemed to hold most of the cards. He was holding them hostage against each other, and was unscrupulous enough to make good on all his threats. But if they all went along, and the Emperor got that Chip, he could ravage the other realities too. Was their welfare worth it?

  If they didn't cooperate, it might not stop Ddwng. He would kill them and head into the Virtual Mode on his own, and maybe he would find the Chip anyway. His chances of getting it would be greatly reduced, and his chances of getting lost or killed increased, but he was obviously one tough nut and he well might get through. In which case they would have sacrificed themselves for nothing.

  No, the only sure way was to be rid of Ddwng. To agree to do his will, get him into the Virtual Mode, away from his minions, and destroy him. Feed him to a telepathic bear or something.

  But right away she saw several problems with that. First, Ddwng wouldn't fall for it; he would know not to trust them. Second, Darius wouldn't give his word unless he meant it, so Ddwng could trust him, and for Ddwng's purpose Darius was the only one who mattered. The rest of them were just to make sure Darius didn't change his mind; they had to keep encouraging him to give Ddwng that Chip. How could Colene do anything else, when Seqiro would be hurt? There was probably some sort of threat against Provos too, so she kept her mouth shut. She might know what was going to happen, but not be able to prevent it.

  That gave her a passing notion. Seqiro—did you tune in on Provos when she was here? Did she know our future?

  Her mind is permeable but strange. She was just beginning to know it. She takes time to remember, in a new reality. She seemed to see us being here for ten days, then going back into the Virtual Mode with Ddwng. She could not see beyond that.

  Well, that's enough. So we are going to do it.

  Yes, as she sees it.

  Colene felt a surge of despair. It was already decided! They were locked into the Emperor's fell plot. Whatever they did, Ddwng would win, because he was what he was and they were what they were. If only Darius weren't so honest! If he agreed, even under duress, he would carry through. Colene herself would have no such compunction; a pledge made under duress was not binding. Knowing what she now knew of Ddwng, she would have no compunction about lying to him. She would not let the DoOon exploit the other realities as they had this one! But she had no power. Darius didn't want to see her hurt, so he would agree, and that would be that. Should she condemn him because he really did love her?

  Damn, damn, damn! Ddwng could tell when others were lying, because his instruments read their body signals. Colene was different; he couldn't quite keep track of her, because she was wildly mixed up inside. The DoOon were pretty much all of a kind, their genetics inbred; that was why they needed new blood, and her ovaries represented that. So Ddwng was trying to understand her, not because he cared about her but because he didn't want to introduce truly crazy blood into the DoOon strain. He was surveying her as he might a new breed of animal, making sure of the quality. Once he was sure that her mind did not represent a genetic danger to the stock—

  Could she pretend she was truly crazy, and scare him off? No, because it was Darius he really needed. He could throw her away if he decided she was worthless. She would do better to satisfy him that she was actually a pretty genetically solid creature, and then do something wild in the Virtual Mode, like pushing him off a mile-high cliff into a mile-wide bed of carnivorous oysters who hadn't been fed for two years. But he would surely be well armed, and have electronic armor and an antigravity suit and other super-science that would make him invulnerable to any betrayal she might attempt. In fact, he would probably have one of those little pain dials Horse had shown her, tuned to all of them, so that it would go off if anything happened to him and they'd all fry. She would have no way to do him harm, for sure.

  But she absolutely refused to let him get away with it. She had faced down Biff in that bleeding contest; there must be some way she could beat Ddwng. Some nasty little plot she could hide in her nutty little
mind, that he couldn't fathom. Some little poison needle he wouldn't even feel until it was too late. She had read once about a woman who put slow-acting poison in her vagina, and killed her false lover because after sex with her he just went to sleep, while she got up and quickly washed herself out before she got too bad a dose. If Colene had something like that, and Ddwng did rape her, what revenge! Yet even if she had something like that, and managed to kill him—what would his death do to the Virtual Mode? He was an anchor person. A dead anchor—that just might blow up the whole thing, like a rock in a fan, and kill them all. Could she afford to gamble on that, even if she had the poison, which she didn't? She was ready to die, but she didn't want to do it to Darius or Seqiro.

  The anchor—there was the problem. It wasn't safe to touch an anchor person. Ddwng surely realized that, so he wouldn't kill any of them as long as he had any chance to travel their Virtual Mode, and he wouldn't do anything to them while they were on it. So he was muscling them into shape in other ways, taming them, bending them to his will. If only he weren't the anchor for this reality!

  Then the answer flashed through her consciousness like a lovely meteor. Seqiro! We can do it!

  Seqiro considered, using her intelligence and his objectivity. Yes, it is possible, if he does not suspect.

  I'll lull him right to sleep! I'm good at fooling people. Trust me.

  Ida.

  Colene had to laugh. Seqiro was the only one who had ever truly understood her. He trusted her because he knew her for exactly what she was: a conniving little wench. Horse-face, I love you!

  True.

  AFTER Darius killed the monster in properly heroic fashion, according to the news release, she called him. "Oh, Darius," she pleaded in distraught maidenly fashion, "please give Ddwng the Chip! It's the only way we can be together!"

  He seemed taken aback, as well he might be. But she was serious. She did want him to agree. "It'll be all right! Honest it will! Please, Darius!" She even managed to put a quaver of eamestness into her voice, which would have been excellent acting except that it was real. She was absolutely sincere in this, and she wanted this entire reality to know it. Darius had to make the pledge!