Eniel Nagon was more furious than ever as he watched the session of the Universal Assembly. A session to which he had not been invited and whose existence he had just discovered, for the all too obvious reason of the question that had been discussed there.

  How dare his allies not keep him informed? Had all the deputies from his own camp betrayed him? Or had the communications been sabotaged?

  But it wouldn’t happen like that!

  A wicked glint passed through his eyes: in fact, this was the perfect time to get rid of the Assembly. All traitors to Democracy! Yes. He didn’t need them anymore…

  He rewatched the video as if to give more fuel to his anger.

  The traitors dared to vote for his impeachment? Already, it wasn’t constitutional! And they proclaimed the holding of an immediate ceasefire with all factions, as well as a negotiation with the Zcarbbs for the immediate dismantling of HIS Infinite Fleet? They were going to pay for it… and all those who opposed him would meet their rightful fate at the hands of the soldiers of his fleet…

  This tantrum passed, he calmed down and resumed a saner reasoning. There were less violent ways to impose one’s will… well, that of the citizens of the universe.

  He walked over to his desk and pressed one of the special buttons, immediately opening a communication screen with his chief advisor.

  Xzeonia was slumped on a gel seat and munching on… sweets? Although he had often used this emergency system, he had never seen her appear with such an unprofessional attitude. Nevertheless, seeing her screen appear in the air, she straightened up and put her bag of food a little further away.

  “Xzeonia,” the president ordered, “did you see what’s happening?”

  She made a noise that seemed to say “yes,” as she sped up her chewing. The president gave her a dark look that gave her time to finish some of the food in her mouth, then gave her a new order:

  “Activate the SECURA chips immediately! I want the implanted deputies to reverse their decision... Oh, and cause some riots of discontent, when the announcement of their current decision becomes known to the public.”

  “Gui’m mwimming, crunch, crunch, glop… I’m willing, but need I remind you that the SECURA chip only slightly modifies the behavior of individuals? Faced with the fear and interests that led them to make their decision, I fear that this influence is not enough to redirect their resolution.”

  “Well, increase the power! It’s possible, right?”

  The Xerinean thought for a moment, unless she was concentrating on the delicate problem of a candy stuck between her back teeth and difficult to dislodge with her tongue. In any case, she finally answered:

  “Yes, it is possible. However, it would cause permanent neurological damage. There should not be many fatal incidents, but the victims would all lose a few points of IQ.”

  “Proceed then! Get active! Each tik that passes can cause significant damage to my… to our power. Don’t forget that it’s in your best interest for me to stay in power!”

  “Oh, but I’ll get moving, don’t worry.”

  She frowned in annoyance, but she began to open several additional screens on her desk and type frantically on her virtual keyboards. Her accomplice had never appreciated being jostled, but she was always conscientious in her work.

  “Well, be sure to immediately inform me of any new developments in the case!”

  Leaving the screen open, the president stood up and nervously walked around his presidential suite.

  Considering the number of people implanted in the universe, by running the SECURA chips at full speed, he would probably have no problem securing his position. Of course, in the event that this led to a brief civil war and some of his adversaries tried to attack his palace…

  Eniel smiled sinisterly: he almost wanted to see them try. The security arrangements were the most advanced ever designed in history, such that former President Xerina could have survived the attack on her palace if she had them… Not to mention the guards: completely loyal and brainwashed, for safety. His suite itself was equipped with such security arrangements that not even Xzeonia could enter without his permission.

  A shiver ran down the president’s spine as he sensed something was amiss. A brief echo of footsteps, briefly heard, perhaps? He wasn’t sure, but he had survived enough assassination attempts to maintain a cautious nature.

  Approaching his desk, he picked up the small pistol hidden there and turned, pointing his weapon at the intruder.

  He was a Hom, in his late sixties and rather potbellied. He wasn’t wearing combat armor, but rather opulent clothing. That meant nothing: Eniel had invisible but highly effective security devices on him, like any important person, the other could have some as well.

  “Who are you! How did you get in here!”

  The president’s heart was beating fast, but the man facing him didn’t even squint at the barrel of the gun aimed at his face. The madman: didn’t he know that this weapon could easily pierce any barrier? A unique model, of the highest level of weaponry in the universe!

  “Come, come,” the man said in a calm voice, “could you refrain from killing me? I have made arrangements for my succession, but that doesn’t mean I really feel ready for an immediate death…”

  “You didn’t answer me!”

  “Yes, you’re right. Please excuse my rudeness. I’m not someone you’ve probably heard of. I’m nobody, even, from your point of view, I suppose. I simply entered by teleportation.”

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “It’s impossible!”

  “Almost impossible. You know that there is a certain key, made of materialized credit, that can bypass any administrative system.”

  Eniel frowned. Indeed: the legends spoke of such a device, giving it various names. The “Key of the Administration”, the “Ultimate Form”, the “Passe-droit”...

  Materialized credits were the greatest technological mystery of the Administration and one of the reasons for its existence. Even as president, he had not been able to discover how this strange and unforgeable currency was produced. It was said that all spies who delved too deeply into the Institution of Currency, Sub-Institution of Finance, Department of Monetary Production, disappeared, regardless of the faction of the universe to which they belonged... The possibility of producing a single and unforgeable currency had helped the nascent Administration to rally around it the different empires of the time and constitute the beginning of the powerful system that now extended throughout the universe. The legendary key, made of a unique alloy of materialized credit, would have the capacity to trigger a secret device within the Network...

  It was difficult to separate legends from reality, but the president could only think of one group of people who could be in possession of such a treasure:

  “You... you're from the Secret Council, aren't you?”

  The Hom smiled, but shrugged.

  “Does it even exist? Obviously, whether I'm part of it or not, my answer would be that.”

  Reassured, the president of the universe lowered his weapon.

  “Ah, admit that it's rather impolite to enter my house without announcing yourself first.”

  “Please excuse me.” the man replied with amusement.

  “You could also have come forward earlier: all these years, I've been reduced to assuming your will. I suppose you're here to help me finalize your grand plan: to unite all peoples within our nation?”

  The intruder's smile grew wider than ever, but there was something unpleasant about it. The president could not define what it was about, but he felt a sense of unease.

  “Assuming,” said the mysterious character, “that I am indeed an emissary of the Secret Council, which is quite probable, I grant you... So, assuming that, why do you think our goal is unity? Why do you also think I'm here to help you?”

  “But,” said the president with confusion, “that is to say... it's quite obvious, isn't it?”

  “Could you elaborate on your point?”

  “Ah, I see, it's a test?”

  “Think what you want, but it is certain that a truth does indeed exist. As for whether you know it... That's up to you to demonstrate.”

  “Of course, that you want unity. It was you who guided the establishment of the Administration, in the past...”

  “Not me, personally, given my age, but I understand your point. Assuming the existence of the Secret Council and knowing the great involvement of the Homs in the early Administration, your point holds up, so far...”

  The president then described the various elements that led him to believe that he was indeed elected by the Secret Council to rule the universe. The man listened to him for a long time, then spoke in turn.

  “I see. If we assume that the Council does indeed exist and that I am indeed its representative, I fear that you have overlooked a few details.”

  “Which ones?”

  “What is the main motto of the Homtests? After all, wasn't the Secret Council of legend formed by a small elite within them?”

  “Their main motto? ‘Why keep it simple when you can make it complicated?’? Perhaps... Or maybe, ‘Homery never dies.’?”

  “I was thinking more of ‘Divided, we are stronger.’, or ‘Divided, we are united.’”

  “There are many different theories on the meaning of these mottos.”

  “Indeed, but they seem to point in the opposite direction of a universe united under the same banner. Of course, it can be useful at times, to move towards utopia... But it is of course temporary. There are many... sacrifices necessary...”

  The president's discomfort increased and he pointed his weapon at the intruder again.

  “What do you mean? What is the purpose of your coming here?”

  “But I came to make sure that nothing bad happens to you. At least, from a physical point of view. You have one last task to accomplish, after all. And, I am also here to distract you and prevent you from becoming aware of what is happening too quickly. I think that should be good, now.”

  What was going on? What did that mean? The president turned back to Xzeonia's screen as it emitted a small noise: a request for communication. He reactivated the sound exchange, without ceasing to keep the intruder who had invaded his office at bay. This one was not visible to Xzeonia, but she would probably guess, seeing his own position, that something was wrong.

  “What is it?”

  “Mr. President, several people have come to the palace door and want to see you.”

  “Who?”

  Obligingly, the Xerinean split the screen to reveal an armed crowd entering through the main gate. Eniel’s smart-bubble software recognized a number of Assembly deputies. They were unarmed, but the soldiers of the Universal Army who accompanied them were. There were also Assembly guards.

  “But,” he growled, “what do they want from me?”

  “They have an arrest warrant in your name. I checked: it’s valid.”

  “Send the guards to massacre these traitors!”

  “Excuse me, Mr. President, but it will be difficult: the guards have all just received their leave…”

  “What? But then use the war robots, the doors, the automated systems… Are you kidding me?”

  “Far be it from me, Mr. President... Oops, I just accidentally pressed the deactivation of all security systems... Oh, damn, I just sent the list of your assets and all the financial transactions of your family and your allies to the Public Network... Oh, I'm really clumsy these days. Oh, I also made public the list of assassinations and other controversial actions that you supported... And the bribes... Oh, how clumsy I am...”

  The Xerinean looked him straight in the eye, without losing her seriousness. The president was speechless, his anger choking in his throat. The look of his former ally betrayed all the hatred she had accumulated towards him over all these years. Those of her people had a tradition of never lying more than once in their lives and, her hatred was such that she had just chosen to use this opportunity, simply to make fun of him.

  He exploded with rage, showering the traitor with insults.

  “What,” she asked, “what are you saying? I’m afraid I accidentally cut the sound. Oh, excuse me, but I have to guide your visitors. Ladies and gentlemen, please follow the luminous indications: the ex-president awaits his arrest in his office.”

  The president tried to cut the image, but the system no longer obeyed him. Other screens appeared, showing the progress of the armed forces approaching his office. The screens in the corridors indicated with arrows the direction to take. The head of his former advisor sometimes appeared on some, as she repeated her harangue to the crowd.

  “You should start getting ready,” said the intruder, “they will be here soon.”

  Eniel brought his weapon closer to the Hom. All trace of calm had definitively deserted the face of the one who was previously the most powerful creature in the universe. Reason, too, was beginning to take leave, like rats leaving a sinking ship.

  “Oh, but I wouldn't be here anymore... Neither would you, for that matter!”

  And he fired.

  At least, he pulled the trigger in vain. The supposed member of the Secret Council sneered:

  “Ah, sorry, but I had time to deactivate your weapon. I thank you, by the way, for not having killed me when it was still possible. You will also note that all sharp objects, all ropes, all weapons, in short, all means of committing suicide have been removed. I told you that you still had a role. Yes, you will play it. You will live, to suffer the hatred of the universe and serve our goals, to us who are perhaps the true masters of the universe. Oh, I talk, I talk, but here they are already.”

  Eniel Nagon turned towards the door as it opened, letting in a dozen soldiers and a few high-ranking officials who proudly brandished a holographic screen on which the arrest warrant appeared.

  When he turned his head back to the rest of the room, he saw that the mysterious Hom was no longer there, as if he had been a mere figment of his imagination.