All-Patron Reward: Demons of the Past Old Draft: Baptism of Fire Chapter 5

Here our hero Varan first meets the man who will become his nemesis, Prime Monitor Shagrath. But for several reasons, this meeting is VERY different than the final version. 

This draft is early enough that I had not yet fully fleshed out the universe in several ways. Varan's character is rougher here, and neither as idealistic or patriotic in his essence as he would become -- Varan's internal dialogue here is far less respectful than it would be in future drafts. 

I also had a different view of psionics for their society. As I hadn't quite worked out exactly what Shagrath was, I hadn't yet realized that he'd have worked for centuries to stamp out psionics in the Imperial population, so in this version Varan wouldn't have been fighting against THAT much public opinion. 

Shagrath, too, was less strongly understood, partly because at the time I wrote this draft I had yet to have my epiphany on who and what VIRIGAR was, and that realization was what really solidified a huge part of my multiverse. 

So this makes for interesting reading, years later, after the final version ...

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v.

I saluted, the crack of my palm on the holster still echoing in the gray room as my arm halted, vertically upraised before me.

Prime Monitor Shagrath looked up. The dark, blast-shielded glasses made his expression cold and inscrutable. "Ah. Captain Varan."

I did not correct his mistaking my rank.

He pressed a button and a viewscreen unfolded from the steel desk. "I understand that you were involved in that small skirmish with the Doradans a few months ago?"

Privately I thought involved was understating the case. "Yes, sir."

Shagrath smiled, an expression that softened his expression not one whit. "Indeed you were. Held an entire corridor alone for half an hour, eh?"

Of course I did, you tzil, you've got my whole record in front of you.

"Educated in several fields, including TC drive engineering -- I see you were the Chief Engineer on the Emissary --"

Come on, get to the point, I thought.

"All in all, a very impressive record, Varan," and now I definitely didn't like the smile at all, "And no, I did not mistake your rank, Captain."

I swallowed hard. The promotion to full Commander had come right after the Doradan affair. This second promotion coming so soon -- and so secredtly -- had sinister implications. "Um... I am honored, Monitor. To what do I owe this unexpected advance of my fortunes?"

I'm sure Shagrath wasn't fooled by my courtesy at all: he knew I was suspicious as hell. "To the fact that you may be able to do us a service, Captain."

I knew better than to hurry him. Monitors take pride in toying with their victims like cats.

"You scored very high on the PSI rating tests, I believe?"

A sick shock hit my stomach. So that was it! Psionics were banned in the Imperium, the PsiWars had seen to that. And anyone even suspected of having PSI talents... "Yes, sir, but I assure you -"

He raised a black-gloved hand. "At ease, Captain. You are not under suspicion. If you were," his voice was suddenly chill as a death sentence, "this interview would be taking place under very ... different circumstances." In a lighter tone, he continued. "No, Captain, I want you for a different reason. You've demonstrated your loyalty and discretion amply in your career. What you see and hear aboard Monarch is to remain secret, understood?"

I nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Good. Now, Varan, as you are obviously aware, psionics and their use are banned in the Imperium. Can you tell me why?"

I wasn't sure where this was leading, but I answered. "Well, sir, even low-power psi talents like shortrange telepathy can be seriously damaging to security, for two reasons. Firstly, only another psionic can detect such powers in operation, otherwise they are traceless. And second, the only screens ever developed against psionics use an immense amount of power, and the only weapon or device that will function through such shields is a laser. The dangers of ultrapsychics, like Maldron the Earthshaker of the PsiWars or the Black Dragon that my grandfather encountered in the last century, are even more obvious. The Dragon once killed over 20,000 Imperial troops in three minutes."

Shagrath nodded slowly. "Would it surprise you to learn that -- under special circumstances, of course -- there psionics working for the Imperium?"

Surprise wasn't the word. Looking back it was probably obvious what he was leading up to, but at the time I would have been less stunned if he'd suddenly done a tapdance while informing me I was the new Emperor.

"I see you are. Well, Captain, there are. How do you think we catch all those Doradan PsiSpies, eh? Yet we can't seem to get any really powerful operatives, even a minimal ultra like the rebel Lordani." He leaned forward. "But we've found a way to change that."

"Yes, sir?"

"Oh, stop being so formal, Varan! Yes. One of our scientists, a Sovalite, has perfected a treatment he says will unlock the full potential of any human mind exposed to it. For some abstruse technical reason I don't pretend to understand, it won't work on someone already psionic; the two psis who volunteered died when it was used." I didn't like the direction this was going. "We did use it on one non-psi already; he developed minor telepathinc abilities for a few weeks, then they vanished. However, his PSI rating was almost nil, while yours is virtually maximum."

"I see." I said, and I did, all too well. "You want me to be number four victim of your mad scientist friend."

He chuckled -- a bad sign; normally that would be grounds for a Stage Two workover. "Ahh, Varan, don't take it that way. All you need do is try the treatment, and, whatever the result, the comission stands. Not bad, eh? From Lieutenant Commander to Captain in five months? Come, you'll not get a better chance."

I still didn't like it, but I could sure use the perks that came with being a Captain. "Will I get my own command, sir?"

Shagrath smiled broadly, obviously glad to find my price. "Why, of course, Captain, if that's what you want! You'll do it, then?"

I'd already committed myself with the question. "Yes, sir."

The Prime Monitor clapped me on the shoulder. "Good man."

Even that touch made me uneasy. There was something very disturbing about Shagrath.