Christopher Evans Aztec Century (epub)

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.The crowds were kept well back.Only one pyramid of the complex had been damaged in the explosion, and this was now swathed in canvas and scaffolding.The repair work was proceeding rapidly, although the bomb had blown out much of the two lower floors, including the cabinet room where Kenneth Parkhouse and his ministers were meeting.He, and seven others, were killed instantly by two kilos of Aztec-manufactured Texcem plastic explosive, carried in a briefcase by a private secretary whom the media described as ‘a fanatical member of a small terrorist organization, the English Liberation Army’.Later, watching the television coverage in my suite with Bevan, I saw Richard and Xochinenen walking among the crowds outside the Abbey, shaking hands and accepting wreaths and sympathy.People interviewed on the street expressed only outrage at the killings.Iztacaxayauh came on screen to announce that the investigation of the case was being put into the hands of the police’s anti-terrorist squad, who were treating it as a criminal rather than political affair.He was followed by the new Prime Minister, a strident woman in a dark blue suit, who told the nation that she had already formed a new cabinet, that Parliament would continue to represent the people and would never surrender to common murderers.The camera panned over the crowd, who held banners saying GOD SAVE THE KING, STOP THE SLAUGHTER and GIVE PEACE A CHANCE.A commentator revealed the results of a poll showing that ninety per cent of the public wanted stability under Aztec governorship and an end to all subversive activities.‘If this is stage-managed,’ I remarked, ‘it’s quite convincing.’‘Sign of the times,’ Bevan responded.‘People are fed up with bombs and assassinations and all the rest of it.’‘Oh? Have you been canvassing opinion yourself?’He sat amply in an armchair, stockinged feet up on the coffee table.‘Written all over their faces, it is.Everybody’s had enough of killings, especially after Russia.’‘Ninety per cent in favour of Aztec rule? I don’t believe it.’My Citizens Aid office had been gutted in the explosion, and I realized I felt no inclination to start it up again.In recent months, regional centres had been established throughout the country, staffed by local people and including barristers who could bring civil actions against Aztecs if necessary.They would be well equipped to continue the work I had started.‘Something on your mind?’ Bevan asked.He had obviously noticed that I was preoccupied.‘Extepan’s asked me to visit Mexico,’ I told him.‘Has he now?’‘Apparently Motecuhzoma wants to meet me.Or so he says.’He grinned.‘I reckon he’s more than a bit fond of you, that one.’To my surprise, I found myself blushing.‘I turned him down,’ I said hastily.‘If I went there, it would seem like I was capitulating to Aztec rule over us.’Bevan looked dubious.‘I doubt it’d make much difference, myself.It’s all over bar the shouting any road.’I was surprised by this.‘I never thought I’d hear you sounding defeatist.I always thought you were a radical.An anarchist, even.’He shrugged.‘Not going to blind myself to the facts, am I?’‘So you’ve given up?’‘I’m watching and waiting.See what happens next.’Now there was a report that the remaining members of the English Liberation Army had been rounded up.A group of dowdy figures were shown being bundled into the back of a riot-wagon.This was followed by a potted celebration of Kenneth Parkhouse.He was portrayed as a man ‘whose patriotism showed itself in his constant efforts to provide stable government for his people.’I made a contemptuous noise.‘Next they’ll be telling us he was a martyr to British democracy.’‘There’s some would say he was.’‘What?’Bevan pulled off a sock and began inspecting it for holes.‘Do you think I’m being too hard on him?’‘Depends.Speaking for myself, I always thought he was a toad.But there’s talk.’‘Talk?’‘You know.The usual sort.’‘What sort, Bevan?’His forefinger protruded from a hole in the toe.‘Some are saying the whole thing was rigged by the Aztecs.’I wrenched the sock from his hands.‘What do you mean?’He pretended to look cowed.‘They reckon Parkie had contacts.With groups like the ELA.That he was secretly working with the underground.’‘That’s absurd.’‘Hard to credit, I agree.’‘He was a careerist, a trimmer.A traitor.’‘Spoke highly of you, though.’I was angered by the idea.‘Are you trying to tell me the Aztecs had him killed? That they planted the bomb?’‘I’m only saying that’s what some are claiming.’‘I don’t believe it.’‘Don’t see it myself, neither.But then again, give a dog a bad name …’‘Bevan, do you know something?’He crossed himself.‘Word of honour.You know how it is.Conspiracy theories.Next they’ll be claiming you had a hand in it.’On the screen, Parkhouse was shown outside the complex on the day of his election as Prime Minister.He was waving to the crowds, his wife and two teenage daughters at his side.‘Be a joke, though, wouldn’t it?’ Bevan was saying.‘If Parkie really was on the side of the angels?’ His expression was almost mischievous.‘Any chance of my sock?’*Extepan was up on the landing pad, supervising the loading of a luxury Ilhuicamina-class carrier which would be taking him and his retinue to Tenochtitlan tomorrow.It was sleeting, and we stood together in the lee of the lift shaft.The sickle wings of the carrier glowed bronze in the murky evening light.‘I expect you’re pleased to be going home at last,’ I remarked.‘In some ways,’ he admitted.‘Though I would have been quite happy to stay if my father had wished it [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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