by Drew Cordell
“It’s not an easy decision to make, and I imagine Colton will seek the counsel of others including myself. You need to realize that the Omniscience Engine is rarely wrong and sometimes difficult decisions have to be made for the greater good,” he said, his brown eyes studying me.
“All those lives. Surely there is another way,” I said as I met his gaze.
“It’s harder for you because you’re from the Slums, I get that. But progress is everything, and nothing can come without sacrifice. We’ve all accepted the fact that the goal we have spent our whole lives working toward might not be realized in our lifetimes. Again, moving forward with our goals is essential, even at high cost. If the Omniscience Engine is suggesting something like this, it has been carefully considered, and every possible scenario that is even slightly probable has been evaluated.”
“What if there is another way? How about we limit the resources redirected from the Slums so the people can still sustain themselves. All these people don’t have to die.”
“Look, Jake. Adrihel will forgive you because you’re still learning, but you were rude to him today. He doesn’t expect you to know everything, but even I know that Bracken taught you better,” he said sharply. “In the end, it’s the decision of the Omniscience Engine to make, and it’s Adrihel’s decision to make if he’d like to make changes to the Omniscience Engine. You will do well to mind your manners and maintain a good reputation for House Ashton if you wish to accomplish anything. Gather good favor, and you can help influence decisions you feel strongly about in the rare case the Supreme Leader chooses not to listen to the ruling of the Omniscience Engine.”
I gave a grave nod. I had undoubtedly compromised my position today and breached many of the etiquette lessons Bracken had taught me. He would be furious when I got back home.
“I’m sorry. I believe the stress of the day has clouded my judgment and impeded my vision of Absolute Knowledge. I do apologize and will write a letter of apology to the Supreme Leader when I am home,” I said, the words tasting like poison in my mouth.
“We can speak later about this if you’d like. I’m afraid you caught me at a bad time,” Marwin said as he stood. “A word of advice, I’d be cautious in taking up the offer from Adrihel on bringing friends up from the Slums—it’d be a favor that would be expected to be returned.”
I nodded as I stood from the chair. “I apologize if I have inconvenienced you in any way, Baron Zaris,” I said.
Marwin swatted his hand in the air to dismiss the matter. “I know it’s hard. A decision this difficult hasn’t been made in years, and things are moving quickly with the addition of the thirteenth Paragon Thought.”
“Well, I thank you for your time, regardless. I just ask you will put careful consideration into the matter should Supreme Leader Adrihel request your guidance,” I concluded as I headed toward the landing platform where my ship waited.
“Of course, Jake. We can talk more about this later. I’ll have my Steward arrange something with yours later today if possible?” he asked.
“Please do. I look forward to it.”
“Wonderful. I’ve also sent something for you to your estate earlier this morning. It should be there by the end of the day.”
Intrigued but having already overextended my welcome, I nodded and thanked Marwin for his time.
The conversation could have gone a lot worse. I could tell Marwin was logical in his thinking, but he also wanted to remain in good political standing with House Adrihel in these difficult times. Feeling as if I had gotten off lucky for my dangerous outbursts with both Colton Adrihel and Marwin, I returned to my estate and was met by Bracken, who looked ready to give me a lecture. His arms were crossed across his chest, and he was frowning as he walked across the tile at a brisk pace.
“You did say you were paying attention during the etiquette lessons—correct, Jacob?” he asked as he stopped to meet me.
“Yes,” I mumbled.
“Well, apparently you disrespected Supreme Leader Adrihel today in his own home. Are the rumors circulating Olympus true?”
“Unfortunately so. I had a strong opinion on the matter and wanted to be sure the Supreme Leader gave the situation proper consideration. I’m hoping my outburst and breach of etiquette were enough to make him at least consider the consequences of abandoning the Slums.”
“Oh dear,” Bracken said, his voice quiet and distant. “I’m surprised that decision is even on the table. The Slums represent the majority of New York. Anyway, I’m afraid I’ll have to mandate some more etiquette laws so your house doesn’t fall apart within months of its creation.”
“Fair enough.”
My outburst reminded me of Caeldra—it was something she would have done without a second thought. When she got worked up about something, or heaven forbid, someone wasn’t thinking about something important with the proper amount of consideration, they would have gotten an ear full in much more colorful language. She couldn’t be dead, and if she was alive, then things would get a lot harder for her when the Slums collapsed from the inside out.
“That reminds me, sir. House Zaris sent a package for you. It’s marked as confidential,” Bracken said as he brought over a cardboard box with solid weight.
I thanked him and returned to my bedroom with the box. After I closed the door, I grabbed at the edges and tore into it, not caring to preserve the structure. There was a smaller black case within it, the edges were scratched up, and it had deep dents across the surface. Pulling it out, I flipped the latches on the side and opened it. Inside was a handgun. It was all black, unlike the CZR-7 I was used to. It looked like an energy weapon. I picked it up and noticed it was heavier than the Runner variant, but the basic structure was more or less the same. The gun itself looked used, the matte paint was scratched off in some locations, revealing dull metal underneath. I ejected the magazine and saw it was helium, a rare gas that burned a vibrant green when ignited. There were only a few weapons in the Champion’s arsenal which accepted the costly gas; it packed most of the power of HexTox with a range closer to that of CO2. Helium was mostly used in long-range weapons like sniper rifles, yet this pistol was built to use it. I slid the magazine back into the grip and tightened my hand on it; the targeting system came to life, and a zoom of the digital projection shifted with the object distance. This weapon wasn’t cheap; this was the equivalent of a sniper rifle packed into the mobile and concealable form of a handgun. There were three other magazines in the case and a small note.
I’ve got a feeling you know how to use this. For added peace of mind and proactivity.
-M
My heart pounded in my chest as I returned the gun to the case and slammed it shut. Was this some sort of test? Were weapons like this illegal for a Baron to own? I didn’t know, but I knew I’d have to talk to Marwin about it later. I could have brought it up with Bracken, but if I weren't careful with my wording he would catch on; the man was clever. Marwin had sent the package before my meeting with Supreme Adrihel and before I went to see him. Still, I didn’t know why he would send me a weapon. He surely had access to a wide collection being Inquisitor and all, but his privileges of ownership might not extend to me.
“Anything of interest, sir?” Bracken asked me as I exited the bedroom and walked back into the expansive living room to sit in one of the recliners.
“I’m afraid not,” I said. “Hey, Bracken, would I be able to get some armed guards around here eventually?” It seemed like a good way to angle the question and have it answered in a more or less indirect way.
He frowned and tucked the datapad in its customary place under his arm and looked at me. “Of course I could arrange for it, but there hasn’t been a breakin or any crime in Olympus in over thirty years. They are more for display, really.”
“Never mind then. I was just wondering if it was expected of me, for the appearance of my house and all.”
“No problem, sir,” he replied as he raised the datapad once again and typed somet
hing. “Anything else?”
“Nanotech. Marwin told me about it, and it seems like something I’d like to get a hold of.”
“Nanotech,” he said, feeling the word, “is permitted to only Inquisitors and House Adrihel for protection. If you’re going on a diplomatic mission to another level of New York, you would be allowed some for temporary use, but it’s far too dangerous to have here. I believe Baron Zaris failed to explain this to you in his explanation of the technology.”
“That will be all. Thank you, Bracken,” I said as I returned to my room to think.
It was a risky lie. If Bracken talked to Marwin, it would be easy to identify our conversation hadn’t actually taken place, yet Marwin might have to lie about the weapon he sent me and might be more prone to vouching for me. Still, I was playing a dangerous game, and if Marwin was setting this up as a trap, I was getting dangerously close to the trigger. Marwin specialized in finding the truth and finding missing people. If he discovered the truth about me, then I would be killed or worse. Even with Nanotech, which I knew I could scrounge from the machines that shaped the expensive clothes the nobility of Olympus wore, how would I actually make use of it? Nanotech was all but useless without an operating system and software driving it, and the clothing machines would only allow me to change the appearance of my clothing, not create any device I would need or take a hit for me if I needed it.
The gun Marwin had given me would provide a great improvement over the now damaged kitchen knife I had thrown at my wall some time ago, but the enemy I was facing was far more dangerous than any I had ever seen, even more so than the robot who claimed to be my father. This thing, whatever it was, was an expert with computer hacking, stealth, and killing. I was suddenly very grateful I didn’t have any armed robot guards in my house after remembering how the stalker disabled one of my house robots. Worse yet, Mary was in danger as well, and she didn’t have the slightest knowledge of how to protect herself.
I didn’t know what to do about Mary—it wasn’t like I could call House Aera and inform them that Mary was in grave danger from an unseen foe. I would be reported and unneeded suspicion would be drawn to me. I didn’t have any proof of the remote hack that had taken control of the systems controlling everything in my estate, and without that, my claim would be rejected.
I picked up the phone and called House Aera. I was still expecting to hear from Marwin later, but I needed to talk to Mary. Perhaps I could have her stay with me until all of this madness was resolved.
“Baron Ashton?” Mary said over the phone, her voice gentle and polite.
“Lady Dunn,” I replied, matching her formality. “I was hoping you might come over later this evening.”
“I have a meeting with House Orin later to discuss a business transaction between our two houses, but I could come by around nine PM?”
“That would be perfect. Should I send transport for you?” I asked.
“No, I’ll already have the airship. See you at nine, Jake,” she said as she broke the connection.
I would tell her about the stalker, but I couldn’t tell her about the Guild, my encounter in the Undercity, or anything else that hadn’t happened in Olympus. Bracken called over the console in my room.
“Sir, Baron Zaris will be over at five PM,” he said.
“Thank you, Bracken,” I responded.
If Marwin was coming at five that would give me time to speak with him and then Mary. I could get to the bottom of the weapon and why he had sent it, as well as maybe speak more about the fate of the Slums.
I spent the rest of the day thinking about everything that was happening and what I would do about it, but even after hours of thinking, things looked just as grim. What difference could I realistically make? Whatever favor I had accrued with Adrihel since I had arrived had quickly been spent when I decided to insult him in his own home, and I felt hopeless against the stalker who had managed to kill two more experienced Runners in the Undercity who were fully geared with the most advanced armor and technology available to the Guild. The hours passed by painfully slow, and I was beginning to develop a dull headache that tugged at the corners of my head and made thinking difficult.
Fortunately, the headache was mostly gone by the time Marwin arrived in his transport ship.
“Jake. Thank you for having me. I assume you got my package?” he asked as we walked side by side into my home.
“Yes, I did,” I answered cautiously. “I wasn’t aware weapons were legal for citizens to own.”
“They aren’t, but we aren’t citizens; we’re nobility. Added peace of mind is always nice to have. That’s a piece from my personal Armory, a house warming gift so to speak. Though I hope you should never need it, it will prove useful should the unfortunate circumstance arise where a weapon would save your life.”
“Well, I thank you, but I’m not sure why you believed I would be able to use it.”
“Just a guess. I don’t know how you were able to survive in the Undercity unarmed.”
“I was lucky,” I responded, my heart pounding in my chest.
“I suppose you were. There are many dangerous criminals who lurk there,” he said, his voice cold. Then, his tone shifted back to his normal pleasantness. “No matter! I can teach you the basics today.”
“I would appreciate that greatly.”
Marwin told me to go grab the weapon and I did so. I passed him the case, and he pulled out the gun and ejected the magazine. With deftness that rivaled Caeldra’s quick motions, he pulled the slide back, and the weapon hissed sharply as the pressure was released from the weapon’s reserve.
“Now, when you load a magazine, simply pull back the slide and the gun will pressurize. When it’s pressurized, this bar will light up and show you your ammo count, or the number of shots you’ll be able to make before you need to reload,” he said as he pointed to the screen on the back of the weapon that was blank other than the safety icon.
“When you’re shooting regularly, the recoil will be dispersed throughout the gun and the slide will remain in place. If you choose to overload your shots, then the slide will pop back after each shot and it really kicks. Overloading uses more gas, so you probably won’t use it often, if you even use it at all. Once you’ve pressurized the weapon, just hold it in your grasp, flip off the safety, and use the digital holo sights. Squeeze the trigger instead of pulling it, and take the time to place your shots well,” he concluded as he passed me the empty weapon.
I flipped the safety as he had shown me, taking care to do so slowly and appear to be searching for the lever. Marwin passed me an orange magazine, and I slid it into the weapon.
“This gas won’t ignite, but it will allow you to pull the trigger and feel the way the weapon reacts.”
I pulled back the slide and saw the pressure meter fill, thirty shots of blank gas ready to fire.
“Oh, and don’t point it at anything you don’t intend to shoot. Store it unpressurized and with the safety on. The gun will automatically divert pressure back into the gas canister if it’s inactive for too long.”
I gave a nod and aimed the advanced sights at a bookshelf which housed some of my new reading material, books I had been unable to obtain on the surface of New York, but none of the treasonous volumes which filled the library of the Guild Hall. Squeezing the trigger, a burst of air whizzed out of the weapon and ignited mid-air, sending a ball of blue colored mist across the room and toward the bookshelf.
“Well done! That’s the basics of it,” he said as he took the weapon from me and stored it in the case before setting it on the coffee table in front of us. “Now, I have spoken with Supreme Leader Adrihel and he has decided to move forward with a modified plan to divert resources from the Slums. I agree with you that the parameters of the Omniscience Engine probably needed to be adjusted. The Engine believed the probability of a reactor in the Undercity shutting down was low, but we don’t have the resources to prepare another one in either the Mids or Upper Levels in a short amoun
t of time. That being said, we are going to be building infrastructure to move Enforcers into the Undercity to better protect the reactors and deter crime where we previously had no reach. Once that is done, we will take steps to divert resources from the Slums to expand the projects we are working on up here. With the modified parameters, we don’t believe the Slums will collapse, thus saving millions of lives.”
My heart felt like it was in my throat. It was good there wouldn’t be anarchy in the Slums, but how would The Champions fare with thousands of Enforcers roaming around the Undercity? It would take a while to set up the infrastructure needed to support the signals needed to guide the Enforcers, but I needed to warn the Guild in advance.
“Well, that’s certainly good news,” I responded.
“Oh, and Supreme Leader Adrihel told me he wasn’t mad about your reaction. He realizes you were right. Just take caution to go about it from a different angle next time,” Marwin said with a smirk.
“I don’t plan on doing anything like that again. I’m ashamed of my behavior,” I said.
Marwin and I spoke for a while on politics, the Absolute Knowledge project, and other things that lacked importance. I was scared of the man sometimes, but other times he was as effortless to talk to as Edgar, Mary, or Caeldra. He thanked me for my hospitality and took his leave.
I waited impatiently for Mary, feeling slightly better that things had gone well with Marwin. I saw her ship approaching from the darkening sky; the sun had already dipped below the surface of Olympus, and many of the bright lights outside my manor were already lit.
“Sir, the ship appears to be devoid of any lifeforms,” Bracken informed me as he looked at the console, puzzled. My heart dropped, and I reacted on instinct by running inside and grabbing the weapon Marwin had given me. I ejected the training gas and loaded one of the helium magazines. I tucked the weapon into the inside pocket of my winter jacket and added the extra magazines after a second thought. I ran back to the platform just as the ship was landing.