Free Prophet by Mike Resnick Page A

“What kind of threat can the Iceman possibly present to you?"
    "Mendoza?” repeated the Anointed One. “He himself presents no threat at all."
    "Then why do you want him dead?"
    "I told you before: it is not your concern."
    "Perhaps not—but if you want me to kill him, you're going to have to tell me."
    "Do you dare give orders to Moses Mohammed Christ?” demanded the Anointed One.
    "No, My Lord,” said Lomax, bowing once again. “Please be assured that I meant no offense.” He paused. “I thought we could do business together. I was mistaken."
    The Anointed One stared long and hard at Lomax. “Why should I believe that you can kill him when so many others have failed?"
    "First, because I'm the best there is,” answered Lomax promptly. “And second, because I've been to Last Chance before. My presence won't alert him."
    "I can hire other men who have been to Last Chance."
    "True,” agreed Lomax. “But Last Chance is the Iceman's world, and he's well-protected. They won't be able to kill him.” He paused. “I will."
    The Anointed One placed a fist to his chin and stared at Lomax again, even longer this time. Finally he spoke.
    "If you carry out this assignment successfully,” he said slowly, as if weighing each word, “there will be others. You will find that I can be as generous when rewarding success as I can be unforgiving when dealing with failure.” He paused. “Because you cannot yet comprehend the true extent of my power, and because you are not yet conversant in the ways of the One Faith, and because Carlos Mendoza must die, I shall forgive you your transgression this one time, and tell you what you want to know."
    "Thank you, My Lord."
    "But thereafter, should you fulfill your commission, you will never question an order or an assignment again,” continued the Anointed One. “Is that clear?"
    "Perfectly, My Lord."
    "Then listen closely, for I will not repeat myself,” said the Anointed One. “Eventually the Democracy will yield to my will. Even the billion ships of its vaunted Navy will be unable to oppose me.” He paused for a moment, looking at some distant point that only he could see. “In the entire galaxy, there is only one force capable of standing against me, of subverting the will of God and stopping me from bringing my throne to Deluros VIII."
    "The Iceman?” said Lomax, frowning in disbelief.
    "I told you to listen, not to speak,” said the Anointed One harshly. “Carlos Mendoza presents no threat to me whatsoever. But he is the only person ever to survive an encounter with my only true opponent. If she has a reason to let him live, then I care not what that reason is—I want him dead."
    "She?” asked Lomax.
    "Like myself, she is committed to the death of the Democracy, and yet she has chosen to align herself against me as well, which will eventually cost her her life—but not before millions have spilled their blood,” answered the Anointed One.
    "Who are you talking about?"
    "Her given name is unimportant,” he continued, “but in the past four years she has emerged from obscurity and assumed her true identity. She is the Prophet."
    [Back to Table of Contents]

Part 2: THE ICEMAN'S BOOK

8.
    The Silicon Kid, resplendent in a colorful new outfit and shining black boots, walked into The End of the Line tavern, waited for the doors to slide shut behind him, and looked around. This was more what the Inner Frontier was supposed to look like, he decided; gamblers and whores, miners and adventurers, all of them armed, all of them real or potential killers. The Blue Pavilion really belonged in the Democracy; The End of the Line belonged exactly where it was, in a Tradertown on a tiny Frontier world called Last Chance.
    He looked around the room once more, happily aware that a number of the clients were staring at him curiously, and nodded his head in satisfied approval. Finally he walked over to the bar.
    "What'll it be?” asked the Iceman, limping over to serve him.
    "A