Read Online Beyond Redemption by Michael R. Fletcher - Free Book Online Page B

be?” Morgen asked.
    â€œThe right kind.”
    Was this true? It did make sense. Why would the people want the wrong kind of god?
    â€œWhat kind of god do the people want?”
    â€œThe right kind.”
    It made sense as an answer, but Morgen still felt something was missing.
    â€œOnce I become a god, all my decisions will be perfect and godlike?”
    â€œIt is not being a god which makes one perfect. The old gods are fallible. We will end all that.”
    â€œFablible?”
    â€œ Fallible . They make mistakes. The old gods caused more death and misery than . . .” Konig didn’t finish.
    More death and misery than what?
    â€œI can’t be fallible. I must be perfect.” He checked his hands, examining each fingernail. They were clean. Spotless. “I’ll be a perfect god. Clean and mighty.”
    Konig glanced at Morgen’s hands and his eyebrows did that crinkly thing again. “You will be perfect.”
    Morgen wanted to say more, but Konig awkwardly ruffled his hair, said something about having business to attend to, and left.
    â€œI’m going to make the other gods behave right,” Morgen told the empty room. “The way gods are supposed to behave.”
    He’d told Aufschlag about his plan and the Chief Scientist said it was a good one, and a great gift for Konig. Aufschlag also said Konig didn’t like bragging and the best thing Morgen could do would be to show him rather than telling him. So it was their secret, his and Aufschlag’s, until he Ascended.
    Morgen scowled at the book on the Menschheit Letzte Imperium. It sat too far back, leaving a small imperfection marring the beauty of his aligned books. Should he move the others back, or slide it forward? After several minutes’ contemplation, Morgen pulled it forward.

CHAPTER 7
    Most only dare tread the waters of insanity at night as they lie dreaming. Cowards. Dive deep into your psychopathy. Let loose the demons of delusion and know, in the end, when they finally devour you, you swam with sharks.
    â€”V ERSKLAVEN S CHWACHE , G EFAHRGEIST P HILOSOPHER
    A ufschlag concluded his report on Morgen’s progress and stood waiting. The High Priest paced the room, his Doppels nowhere to be seen, for which the scientist was grateful. They made him nervous with their obvious hatred and mistrust. Gods only knew what they whispered in Konig’s ear in Aufschlag’s absence.
    Still, behind Konig, his many reflections filled the surface of the huge mirror. Faces and fingers pressed that thin boundary between realities, desperate for escape. Aufschlag wasn’t sure when the High Priest had become Comorbidic—developing multiple delusions—but he knew Comorbidity to be a sure sign thatthe end grew near. Konig’s delusions grew in strength and numbers and most probably out of his control.
    The Chief Scientist swallowed his fear. Without Konig, the Geborene would be lost. The boy must Ascend in time to save the High Priest; he had to. In the back of his mind Aufschlag could almost remember—just moments before he’d entered Konig’s chambers—hoping Morgen would Ascend after Konig’s death. Here, in the powerful Gefahrgeist’s presence, such treasonous thoughts became impossible.
    Konig caught sight of the mirror and stopped pacing. “Sometimes I think I can hear their voices.”
    The reflections turned to face him as if they’d heard his words.
    â€œPerhaps we should destroy it,” Aufschlag suggested.
    â€œNo,” said Konig, staring at his reflections. “Mirrorist powers would be useful. Who knows what my reflections might show. Perhaps the future. Maybe I will see events transpiring all around the world.”
    â€œHave they shown you anything yet?” Aufschlag asked.
    Konig turned away from the mirror, his shoulders sagging. “No. Not yet.”
    â€œPerhaps we can move it to another room?”
    â€œNo, I can’t