Skirmish (The Stork Tower Book 8)

by Tony Corden

  “Off the record?”

  “E☼: Yes, although I’ll probably use ideas to help frame the story from what you say later.”

  “No names or specifics?”

  “E☼: OK, anything I mention will come from my own research and from other sources.”

  “S☇: Atherleah rescued my sister who’d been kept as a slave in the multiverse for seven years. She told both V-Sec and the police who questioned her the people who had kept her a prisoner. Those people are still free, and my sister was told that she would be arrested if she ever mentioned them or what had happened publicly. My sister’s story is one of the thousands that I know of. Each one who says something publicly is first derided as a conspiracy nut, then arrested. You’re one of my favourite reporters, but even you have disregarded their voices because it doesn’t fit your narrative.”

  “Erica, it’s a matter of public record that the health care system puts aside millions every year to help people in negative-tax communities who suffer from diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. Those same records also show that this money is spent on paying consultants in the system and that none of it has been spent on helping patients. Protestors have tried to speak about such things, but not one reporter has checked the facts and reported it. I suspect they’ve done enough to know it’s true, but aren’t prepared to speak out as if they agree with the protestors.”

  “E☼: Kill squads?”

  “My mother is looking after a baby whose mother and older brother were shot and killed by three groups of mercenaries who attacked the community where I grew up. Six others were killed in the attacks.”

  “E☼: You could prove this?”

  “Yes. The mercenaries that survived were captured, and there is clear evidence they were employed by the Federal Government. They’ve provided more evidence of similar activities around the world going back years.”

  “E☼: You think the authorities will make them disappear?”

  “They’ve already disappeared. They weren’t given to the authorities—they killed our children.”

  “E☼: That’s murder.”

  “I agree, that’s why they disappeared.”

  “E☼: I meant dealing with them yourselves instead of going through the legal system was murder.”

  “I know what you meant, and while I wish there was another way I promise you that the violence and anger you’ve seen in Brisbane would have been much worse if those mercenaries had been handed in. The people who defended themselves would have been arrested and either sent to jail or disappeared. Just look at what happened to me. It’s a matter of public record that the authorities almost charged me with the murder of the two people who abducted me. If they’d been able to prove I killed them, then I would be locked away.”

  “E☼: Do you know who had you kidnapped?”

  “I do. I also have proof. It’s proof that would convince everyone except the courts. The judge would have it thrown out.”

  “E☼: If what you say is true, then if you show support for the protestors you’ll be shut down anyway. Regardless of what message you want to support, there is no way the protestors can bring change.”

  “I agree. For change to happen there needs to be significant support from the local and international virtual communities. For that to happen, the evidence has to be presented publicly and in a form that can’t be ignored, denied or shut down. If that is going to happen, people need to be primed to listen with an open mind. Closed minds will just shut out the truth. If I’m shut down, then the catalyst for the action has to keep people focussed until they can be shown the truth.”

  Erica sat for almost a minute before she said, “E☼: OK! I’ll limit my questions to the issues Sharon outlined. At the same time, I’ll do more research on the issues we’ve talked about. If I find your assertions are false, you need to know that my segments will not support you or your aims. If what you’ve said checks out, I’ll try and frame the segments to be neutral towards the Australian government and V-Sec. I can’t guarantee how they’ll be used by the networks that purchase them.”

  “Sharon?”

  “S☇: I don’t think we have any other choice if we need this done soon. Focus is already moving away from the protests to other events. This will help bring it back into the mainstream.”

  “Then let’s do this and then I have to get back to Dunyanin.”

  The interview lasted almost a virtual hour then Leah took a break before heading to the Dunyanin portal.

  Diary - 29 December, 2073 - AM

  A quarter of a million people. It’s strange, but it’s easier to be excited over a few thousand. I think it’s because I can visualise a few thousand; I’ve actually seen a few thousand, and I can relate to it. Intellectually I can understand a million, but viscerally, I can’t, not really. In one session of play, we helped more people than all the other times put together, but I’m struggling to be as elated as I should be. I wonder if it’s because I’m not convinced that they’ll be better off in the long term or if I just can’t understand the pain of so many people. I mean, if I think of the individuals I held or talked to today, then I’m emotionally pushed to the limit, but when they’re all mashed together in a number, a number like two hundred and fifty thousand, then I don’t feel the same because I lose the connection with that one person I’d talked to.

  I wonder if that’s what went wrong with the country. We stopped seeing people, seeing neighbours, seeing family as related to us in some way. We let someone else take responsibility for them, and they became a statistic. Parents let the schools teach their children why not to bully. Families let mass media teach morality, educate children about sexuality, and explain love, hate, fear and how to deal with them. We stopped dealing with individuals and working with them where they were, and we just treated them like another one, like every other one. They became like one of the masses. People were sorted into generations, personality types, socio-economic groups; they were classified as normal, athletic, special, or some other statistic or quantifier to deny them their individuality.

  No wonder people don’t feel anything for the people living under negative tax. They can’t relate; they can’t see themselves in the other person. So when they die, it means nothing. Someone’s death doesn’t touch them because they can’t see it, feel it, relate to it. It’s pushed out of their experience. It’s locked away in a number. ‘Seventeen thousand died today in the latest riots’. Such a statement means nothing; it doesn’t make a person put down their coffee or pause and reflect on life. Unless, of course, they know one of the seventeen thousand, then that one person, that personal connection gives the number some meaning.

  How do I stop myself from doing the same thing?

  58

  December 29, 2073

  STORK TOWER

  As Leah headed to the portal to Dunyanin, she said, “Three, has Peter replied about the items I asked him for?”

  “3: Yes. He was able to get everything and has it ready to send to you. The Dunyanin administration also responded to your additional queries.”

  Leah checked the answers, then had Three retrieve several items from the collection of loot and put them in her backpack.

  DUNYANIN

  Yürek was waiting just outside Leah’s tent as usual. After greeting Leah, Yürek gave a rundown of what had happened during the night, then said, “Y☼: I asked the leadership team from yesterday to be here for when you arrived. Have you made up your mind on who you want to lead the army?”

  “I have. I also discussed it with the clan leaders, and we’re unanimous in thinking Brin is best suited as the overall lead. I’m not keen on telling her who should or shouldn’t be in her command group but will suggest Fetheden and Jack. If she accepts the position, then I’d like her to have a hand of Günahkâr guards.”

  “Y☼: From the way she dealt with the battle yesterday, I believe she will welcome the opportunity to lead the army. I have a hand already chosen and will assign them to her. Perha
ps you might also suggest that Nalbant be a part of the command group. He has a good understanding of magic and will know how best to utilise the Kraliçenin Çekiçleri. If I understand the dwarven tongue, he has embraced the clan name. He drives them to exhaustion and beyond, that they might be forged not only into your Çekiçleri but earn a name as your Savaş Çekiçleri, your War Hammers.”

  “Good. One day I will return to the Demir Dovuyor Mountains and bring them into the Empire. I want the clan who stands behind me to be worthy.”

  The discussion had happened almost instantaneously. To everyone watching, Leah exited her tent, paused for a moment to ensure Yürek had seen her, then stepped away toward the group that had led the army the day before. Leah sat with them for twenty minutes as they dissected the battle and ways to improve. When the discussion wound down, Leah said, “Thank you again for keeping the enemy away from here yesterday. The artefact is finished but still needs to be charged and have the controlling rings linked to it. Charging the arch could take several hours. Once that is done, I aim to take my quest team, guards, and small support group and keep moving. I hope at least some of the clan will stay together to both harass the enemy and be ready when the smaller group is targeted again.

  “The War of the Gods is still getting underway, and I suspect whoever stays will get more than enough opportunity to increase their skills and their levels. I know you are all aware that I’ve been thinking about who is the most suitable person to lead the army, and I’ve talked through the options with each of you and with the clan leaders. Brin, even before yesterday, you were everyone’s first choice, and that included both Jack and Kull. I was simply going to appoint you as the Commander of the Army, but I received some messages when the portal was finished yesterday and it’s become a little more complicated. My racial mix is part divine. Without that, we’d never have been able to construct the portal, so the portal has been classified as a Sacred Object. To control the object, you’ll need to be recognised as either my Paladin or as a higher level priest.”

  Brin’s head jerked backwards, but before she could speak, Leah continued. “Before you respond, let me say I’m not interested in having any priests and the whole idea of expecting or wanting to be worshipped has zero appeal. Fortunately, ‘my followers’ can be equated with those in the clan or who are part of the Empire. I reread some of the handbook and sent a query to the administrators. They equate being a part of the clan’s executive with being a High Priest or Paladin.

  “I sent a message to the other members of the clan’s leadership, and they all agree we should offer you a position on the executive. It comes with some perks, but it also means some responsibility in other clan matters. The responsibilities hopefully won’t be too arduous. They will be more a matter of keeping in the loop with some other things we are involved in. In Dunyanin, it will mean you are known both as Commander of the Army and as my Paladin. Under those conditions, are you still willing to be the leader of this army?”

  Brin was silent for fifteen or so seconds, then nodded and said, “B☼: More than willing. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

  “Great. After we charge the portal, I’ll announce to everyone that you’re going to lead them.”

  Leah gave directions to gather the clans’ mages and then discussed with Brin her ideas on where Brin might take the army first. Once the mages arrived, Leah focussed on the portal which was in front of them.

  Un-named Sacred Artefact

  This sacred artefact was created by the Legendary Smith Atherleah, Empress of Vatan and First Mage of Vatan. The artefact is a portal that, when open, can be used to travel to any part of Dunyanin.

  Minimum Level: None

  Mana Level: (0/200,000,000)MP

  Ki Level: (0/20,000,000)KP

  Restriction: The artefact will only open a portal to places already visited by those to whom it is bound.

  Bound to five control rings

  The object can be bound to up to five players or NPCs. Please read the handbook for a list of those who can be bound to the artefact.

  Atherleah and her followers are responsible for charging the divine artefact. The divine artefact can be set up to take a percentage of Mana and Ki from any subset of Atherleah’s followers. Please read the handbook for a complete list of charging options.

  Do you wish to name the artefact at this time? [Y] [N]

  Do you want to share Mana and Ki with the divine artefact? [Y] [N]

  Wisp had claimed the right to name the artefact, so Leah pressed ‘Y’ to name it and with a grimace typed in the chosen name —Atherleah’s Arch.

  Atherleah checked her levels. Emptying her store of mana, including the three shrouds, would not even fill a tenth of what was necessary to fully charge the arch. She turned to the mages and quickly typed out instructions, then transferred her entire store of mana and ki to the Arch. Each of the mages then stepped forward one after the other and did the same. While they did that, Leah took potions to restore her reserves. The arch was still less than half full when the last of the clan’s mages had added their reserves. Leah stepped forward again and asked Kraliçenin Çekiçleri to do as they had the day before and gather their spells for her to siphon the mana to add to the arch.

  Leah then began to absorb the mana from all twenty-five dwarven mages and added it to her own supply, which she began to transfer to the arch. Even as she did, Yürek used the psychic connection to gather mana from the Günahkâr and add it to Leah’s store. Leah almost staggered from the flow of mana that she was controlling, but gritting her teeth, she directed it to the arch. Then, at the edge of her awareness, she felt her brood of Frost Dragons descending. With a crash she felt through her boots, the dragons landed at the edge of the army, and then Mìng gathered the threads of their mana and ki and added it to the stream flowing through Leah. This time, the flow did send her to her knees, but she still maintained control and directed the gathered resources into the Arch.

  When the arch was finally full, Leah stopped absorbing what she was offered and came to her feet. The arch glowed with power, so much in fact that she could feel it even on her skin. Leah took one of the rings from her bag and placed it on her finger. The ring glowed briefly, and the discs which represented Vatan and Çaresiz began to glow. Leah turned away and sent a message to Yürek that she should have the army form up in three sections. Clan Guàn was to be in the centre, with the Günahkâr on the right and the Kraliçenin Çekiçleri on the left.

  As the army gathered and formed ranks, Leah thanked the dragons for their help. Once the army was in place and facing Leah, she had Three amplify her voice and said, “I want to thank all of you for your help in making the arch and charging it. I also thank you for the way you have defended me and fought against the forces of the malignant and pernicious gods who have come against us. Even though they have been defeated so far, they will continue to look for ways to kill me and to destroy this clan, the Empire and those who follow the gods allied against them. This war is still in the beginning stages. While it currently rages primarily upon Vatan, it is almost certain to affect every continent and will involve many of those gods still as yet unaligned.

  “As you are all aware, the team I’ve chosen and I have to continue moving if we’re to be first to reach Merkize. Not only is it impractical for you all to follow us, but it doesn’t make sense to deprive you of the opportunity to pursue other quests, complete other dungeons or even to take the battle directly against those who want to destroy us. The desire to have you fully mobile and constantly active is why we created the portal that you can see behind me. This portal will allow the clan and those who fight with us the freedom to move quickly to where they are needed, and the opportunity for you to find other challenges instead of just hanging around.

  “The other leaders of the clan and I agree that the traveller Heir_of_Celebrindal, who is commonly known as Brin, will be given control of the portal. She will lead this army while I continue the quest to Merkize. Brin, plea
se step forward.”

  Brin stepped out of the front rank and stopped several paces in front of Leah. Leah continued, “Brin, I have tested you and found you both willing and able to serve the clan as my Paladin. Will you give your oath and accept this position?”

  “B☼: I, the Heir_of_Celebrindal, or Brin, as I’m also known, do promise that I will be faithful to Atherleah and serve as her Paladin. I will obey her reasonable commands and inform her when I cannot. I will counsel and advise her to the best of my ability that together we might show courage, honour and fidelity to the values we espouse. Before others, I will steadfastly, in good faith and without deceit, show and observe all respect toward her. These words stand unless formally withdrawn. You have my word and oath.”

  Before Leah could respond, she felt three forms materialise behind her. She turned and bowed her head and said, “Lord Umut, Lady Utsal, Lady Serseri, welcome.”

  “3: H with applied pressure ▽ is Lord Umut, O▽ is Lady Serseri, T▽ is Lady Utsal.”

  Lord Umut said, “H▽: My Champion, we would honour your Paladin.”

  Leah stepped to one side. Umut took a step forward and placed is hand on Brin’s shoulder. He said, “H▽: Brin, Paladin of Atherleah, I, Umut, the God of Hope, find you worthy of this honour.”

  Brin seemed to shine briefly, and a chest appeared at her feet. When Umut stepped back, Lady Utsal took his place and laid her hand on Brin before giving her a gift. Finally, Lady Serseri completed the same formula. After Lady Serseri stepped away, both she and lady Utsal disappeared. Lord Umut turned to Leah and said, “H▽: My Champion, none other can hear these words. I know you have planned to visit Sihirbazlari, and it concerns this journey that I have remained behind. I have some information pertinent to your journey.”

  When Umut’s mouth stopped moving, and there were no more impressions on her fingers, Leah knew the game was waiting for her response. This was an invitation for a quest. She hesitated briefly, then said, “Lord Umut, I would be honoured to hear any insights you might have.”