xp_logs | Sound of Silence: Maximus and Cortez

The beginning of the end. Maximus meets with a friend to discuss his future plans for Attilan.

It was important that they meet in private. Far away from prying ears and eyes and minds. Sometimes Maximus worried that his brother could hear what he was planning, that Blackagar knew what he thought just as he knew what Blackagar thought--but that was silly, he told himself firmly. Blackagar was too spiteful, too jealous of Maximus's brilliance; if he'd been sneaking, he would have tried to stop Maximus already.

And no one in the family knew what he could do. Maximus hadn't known what he could do until only recently; he'd thought the only Outside Voice he could hear was his brother's. Which was another silly thing. If one Outside Voice, why not others? The Inside Voices had tricked him there, but he'd figured them all out now. He stretched himself out, listening, listening . . . the Inside Voices were quiet, and the only Outside Voice near was Fabian's. His good friend, who was helping him take what was his. They were alone, and that was good.

"We're clear," he said, opening his eyes. "You are absolutely sure that you can boost me to the point that convincing Crystal to help me will be unnecessary? She trusts me, but I think not quite enough to believe me if I have to explain what she must do and why."

Fabian Cortez sat across from the Attilani royal, sitting comfortably with one leg crossed over the other. He did not answer immediately, instead first permitting Maximus to feel his own confidence. When he did speak, he did so slowly, calmly, and yet firmly. "When you are ready, Prince Maximus, she will believe every word of yours with her heart of hearts. A flawless beginning to Attilan's glorious future."

"Excellent." Maximus relaxed, just a little. "And then you must boost her, as well--as powerful as you can. The king and queen, the prime minister, and especially my brother have to die. There can be no possibility of their survival." It was only a shame that he wouldn't be able to look Blackagar in the face as the crown prince died, that after all these years of Blackagar's spiteful whisperings Maximus had to delegate his brother's death. Some of the sacrifices he had to make for his people were galling. "Do this for me, and when Attilan rises under my rule as the first true mutant nation, you will be well rewarded."

"Your Highness is too kind." Cortez shifted ever so slightly in his seat, almost a twitch. "This is why I have been put on this world. Attilan will be the first mutant nation, and others will soon follow. You shall set the stage, my prince, for a new world."

"I shall lead, not merely set the stage," Maximus corrected him, cool warning in his voice. "Attilan is no mere prototype; it is a paragon. Or will be, when it is truly mutant, when I have expunged all the undesirables."

Cortez lifted his head, nostrils flaring. But he smiled politely and nodded. A fleeting moment of amusement flashed in his mind but was instantly replaced by the same courtesy he'd been projecting all along. "My apologies, your highness. Yes, Attilan will set a new paradigm for the world under your command." The smile quickly fell into a nearly feral grin. "It will truly be glorious."

"Yes. Glory." Maximus settled slightly, though he kept a watchful eye and mind both on the friend he suddenly wondered if he could fully trust. "Attilan will cover all the world in it." His voice dropped to a hateful mutter. "And perhaps then Blackagar will finally be silent."