Eighth Circle

The young women continued to prey on his conscience. Sexual exploits with willing partners was one thing. Taking advantage of innocent virgins was another. Nothing could be worse. Aged nymphomaniacs were using their young bodies for enjoyment and he had been party to the despicable act.

Abu Yeazum ... Abu Yeazum ...

The mournful sound of the security alarm resonated in his ears. It filled the air and caused the palace walls to vibrate. Cries of alarm filled the air. Footsteps clattered down stairways. Tom guessed the surrogates were fleeing the palace like rats deserting a sinking ship.

The emergency exits flew open and people streamed out. He recognised a familiar face amongst them. The doctor, who dyed his hair, was fleeing as fast as his legs could carry him. The sash that secured his surgical gown was brown. For the moment, at least, the doctor was a free operator and not controlled by a brain in a jar.

Tom strode out and blocked his way.

'What a pleasant surprise!'

The doctor stared back with terrified eyes.

'The emergency ... can't you hear?'

'Yes.' Tom smiled. 'There's been a bit of a mishap. Plaid Koerno have blown up Elm Grove and they are about to pay us a visit ... I'm sure we'll cope.'

'They'll kill us!'

The doctor tried to push past.

Tom dragged him back.

'Not if we are sensible.'

'What do you mean?'

'We can change sides.'

The doctor began to relax.

'How do we do that, Excellency?'

'By making ourselves useful.'

Tom produced a murderous-looking knife.

'Come with me, Doctor. Your surgical skills are needed.'

***

They walked between the jars. The doctor went first. Tom held onto his sash and propelled him along. The sash was still brown. Tom got ready to act if it showed any sign of changing to blue.

Abu Yeazum ... Abu Yeazum ...

The mournful sound continued.

'What's that awful noise?'

'The immortals are distressed, Excellency. The combined intellectual will has been struggling to withstand the stresses that have been afflicting its composite mindset since your arrival. This latest incident has resulted in an extreme and debilitating trauma. Cerebral lesions have occurred in the neural pathways and resulted in a serious malfunction of the composite whole.'

'You mean Big Brain has had a stroke?'

'Yes. You could put it like that.'

There was a touch of humour in the doctor's voice. Tom wondered if his attitude towards the immortals had changed. The man had sucked up to them for years. Brains in jars had used his body and rewarded him with special favours. Now that their power was slipping away his loyalty might have taken a bashing.