Broken Circle by John Shirley

aplomb, as if to bask in the reflected glow of the Hierarch’s authority.
    â€œAh, there you are, Minister,” Excellent said silkily, with an It is past time gesture, but conveyed in a genial fashion. “You have consulted with the ship’s captain?”
    â€œI have, Great and Sacred Hierarch,” R’Noh replied, genuflecting. “The ship is still being charged and victualed, but he anticipates readiness within this daily cycle.”
    â€œBut—” Here Excellent turned his deceptively mild gaze upon Mken. “Is our Prophet of Inner Conviction in readiness?”
    â€œI cannot be truly ready, O Hierarch, for a task I have little confidence in. I request consultation with the full triumvirate of Hierarchs, so that I may be of assistance in selecting another candidate for the expedition, if, indeed, the triumvirate approves—”
    Excellent Redolence sat up straight, his long neck recoiling like a snake about to strike. “Mken ‘Scre’ah’ben!” The use of Mken’s original name was intended to put “The Prophet of Inner Conviction” in his place. “Do I understand that you are accusing a Hierarch of the Sacred Search of breaching Council protocol?”
    R’Noh made a pleased sniggering sound at this scolding.
    Mken kept his temper in check. “I imply nothing of the kind, O Hierarch. I am suggesting that the purpose of this journey is beneath us—and is not necessary. It is past time for a review of the need for a Roll of Celibates. Instead of a mad and risky expedition, let us scrutinize—”
    Excellent slammed a fist onto the arm of his antigravity throne—accidentally triggering a spray of random holographic images and making his chair revolve once in the air.
    Mken wanted to laugh, but given the situation, thought it unwise. “They are, after all, San’Shyuum, worthy of respect as our people, even though—”
    Pretending the throne-spin hadn’t happened, though even R’Noh had to suppress another snigger at the sight, Excellent Redolence jabbed an accusing finger at Mken and demanded, “Have you forgotten that these so-called Stoics have appropriated our homeworld, Janjur Qom—stolen it from the holy martyrs? It is an act of liberation, not abduction, to acquire females from them! And the Purifying Vision of the Holy Path, the Luminary associated with it—these alone should justify the attempt!”
    â€œIf perhaps we could involve the other Hierarchs—”
    Excellent made a quick, snappish gesture that was rarely used, meaning Go silent or die silent. “I will hear no more of this political casuistry! The triumvirate has agreed that I am to oversee a restoration of new breeding stock! The method was not specified—therefore, I shall specify it myself!”
    Excellent seemed to realize that he was exposing himself—that the raging tyrant who was the real Excellent Redolence preferred the appearance of a somber, witty San’Shyuum of subtle wisdom. He settled back in his throne and absently stroked the fur on one of his wattles. “You have unsettled me. I will brookno more insubordination. Here are my terms, ‘Prophet of Inner Conviction.’ ” Mockery dripped from his tone as he used the title. “You may take your choice. You will suffer a severe, thorough, and perhaps not entirely unbiased inquiry into your exclusion from the Roll of Celibates—an exclusion that I believe to be fraudulently arranged—and you will suffer the legal consequences . . . or you will lead this expedition to Janjur Qom.”
    â€œWith all due respect, Great Hierarch, I am scarcely a military commander.”
    â€œI beg to differ. You were in action on the Planet of Blue and Red, and in other places during the war. We have no one else available here with such experience. You oversaw purges and the appropriation of