by Kris Schnee
There was more argument. This little conclave was on the fence about what to do with the information.
Paul had felt he had to act, when someone came to him for help. He wasn't a poser. Nor was Che. However he'd gotten this artifact, he'd come here from far away to deliver its secret message. Now what about Linda, now that she had the chance to do something?
Linda said, "If you really care, if you're on Castor because you think freedom is important, you should be willing to fight for it. Especially when there's someone this desperate to get the word out about a crime."
Che laughed nervously. "You think you can go home a hero if you leak this stuff? I've seen things that might change your mind." His smile vanished. "You're already in deep by knowing about this device. I suggest you not go back to the US. Ever."
Linda stared into the black box on the table. Her homeland wasn't that bad, that they'd make her vanish. People would come around and demand reform once they understood. Once someone reminded them of the stories of freedom.
Linda leaned over the table, pressing her hands against the plastic, and took ragged breaths. Here was the key to her future. She'd be brave, and go home for a political crusade. Climbing through one office at a time, selling her soul little by little, screaming at anyone who'd listen for years and years to please start caring about principles that didn't matter to them anymore. Becoming someone who'd compromised so much, nothing was left of her.
"Are you all right?" said Che.
She shook her head no, and squeezed her blurry eyes tight. "I want to believe I can fix everything. It's just a story I've been using to keep me going. There's a kind of struggle that makes you grow, and another that only wastes your life." Debates were fun, but she'd never even liked campaigning. "The world's changing, for good or bad. I don't want the future to be decided by lies and secrets and spying. Let's let everyone have the facts."
Zephyr put his robotic hand on her shoulder. "We need you to focus for a few minutes while we find a safe place to lay low, okay?"
Linda looked up into the robot's glowing eyes, then to Tess and Che all gathered around her and contemplating a hug. "You can," she said, and they did. She sniffled against someone's shoulder.
Tess said, "Zephyr, she's right. We're not anybody's masters here, with the right to hide something this important. I'd want to know if there were a crazier version of Ludo joining the game."
Linda stared into the black box. "There's more. The scanning technology."
"If we release these documents publicly..." Zephyr said. His partner was grinning like the Cheshire Cat. He went on: "Then she won't have a monopoly on brain scanning."
Tess looked excited too. "No more trade secret. No more power to dictate who gets into a digital heaven."
The two of them turned to Che and Linda, speaking as one. "We'll do it. Public release of the info on FAE and its brain experiments, though not Alain's brain data. We don't know about you, but we'd still like to spend the next few hours somewhere well-guarded. We know just the place."
* * *
The lobby of the Thousand Tales Fun Zone didn't look menacing, but panels on the walls hinted at defenses and alarms. The clerk wore a pistol and looked Linda over with concern. Linda knew she looked like a shipwreck victim, after several poor nights' sleep and now this revelation.
The clerk said, "Hello. Do you have a reservation? Oh, Zephyr! It's an honor." A raucous bunch of diners partied on the other side of some sturdy-looking doors.
The robot bowed. "We need to talk with your boss somewhere secure. Code 'Skynet'."
The clerk spoke into a microphone, and a television that was showing a Talespace-produced cartoon switched to Ludo's face, wearing a fantasy helmet and looking surprised. "You'd better come to the basement."
The basement hung below the floating platform like Linda's hotel. They walked past a lounge and through a tunnel that looked like a plain utility corridor, but was lined with more discreet panels and slots where steel doors could slide into place. Maybe the AI had a flashy decoy lair somewhere.
The clerk took them to a bunker. Its floor and walls were reinforced concrete and had shelves of food and other supplies. Some of it was for the restaurant above, but some looked like military MREs and there was a bulletproof vest. Linda looked past a set of VR pods and some electronics lab equipment to the no-nonsense survivalist gear.
"Expecting a siege?" asked Tess. The room smelled of ozone, suggesting hidden energy.
"I like to be prepared," said Ludo from several screens at once. "Is there immediate danger? And Che, what in the world are you doing here?"
Zephyr said, "We have documents to show you." The robot raised one hand theatrically and sent Ludo the damning evidence of FAE and the brain-rape or murder of Alain.
The AI's face glitched for several seconds, then came back looking as grim as Linda had ever seen it. "That... That is not good news. It would explain a few things. You brought an emulation of the Blue Sage?"
"Yes," said Zephyr. "You should take it."
"Thank you. And thanks for coming to me with this news."
"Why's that?" Linda asked.
"It could cause needless strife in others' hands," said Ludo.
Linda said, "Really? I thought you'd be more worried about having competition in the brain simulation market." Though Linda had little energy for another argument with the AI, this would be a short one.
Ludo shrugged. "It's a limited, flawed technique from what I can tell so far."
Linda checked a clock. "Then you won't mind too much when the documents go public right about... now."
The AI fell silent for a moment, then cursed. She would be seeing the headlines on the notorious OpenLeaks site. It was banned in the US, but the news would get out.
Ludo threw up her hands and a wave of red confetti fell from the screen's imaginary ceiling. "Congratulations, you four. Some unscrupulous idiot is going to start selling access to this method. Cheating vulnerable people, and getting them pointlessly killed."
Linda said, "You once said a victory against the 'evil sultan' of death isn't always what we humans would want. Well, here's something you might not want, that'll still save lives."
"I wouldn't count this technique as really saving anyone. This is halfway between what I do, and Draupnir with more gore."
Linda smiled grimly. "Yeah. So what you should do is, make your version of the uploading technique open-source. Or at least a version that's better than this butchery."
Ludo fumed. "The lives that'll be saved are ones you've just put in danger, by tempting them to try the flawed technique!"
"No. They're people who would've died otherwise, and some of them will be your players. If your uploading system supposedly saves lives despite all the philosophical problems, then open-sourcing the technique will save more lives. You should welcome competition and cost-cutting."
"I have accountants and lawyers working every day to manage our financial plans. You've just thrown years of scheduling into disarray."
Linda faced the gamemaster down, standing with one hand on her hip. "What, can't you adapt to changing circumstances?"
Che said, "I would be careful about taunting her, ma'am."
"Revenge isn't in her nature. Is it, Ludo?"
The mistress of Thousand Tales sulked. "It is not."
Linda watched while the professional engineers chattered about the technical details of what they'd found. She sank onto a hard chair and turned toward one of the other screens; Ludo could handle many conversations at once. Linda said, "I guess we're all on the same team for now." Che stood beside her.
Ludo said, "I owe you a very sarcastic achievement badge when I get you someday, miss Decatur. As for you, mister Ruiz, I owe you for coming all this way with your secret. I'd love to hear the story of how you did it."
His shoes scuffed the floor. "It's what I know how to do."
"I see Blue promised a reward. How about immortality? You probably have some of your father's money
left, I hope?"
Che's eyes lit up. "I do. Yes, please!"
Linda told him, "The way she uploads people isn't really survival. It's a copy of you."
Ludo said, "Linda, you're not the only one with problems about the process. Now that you've just open-sourced FAE's version of my technology without asking, damn it, I may as well tell you that I'm working on something better. A piecemeal method. We'll keep your brain conscious, and replace one small part at a time with software, so that there's continuity of experience. It'll be clearly 'you' the whole time."
The engineers argued with another image of Ludo in the background. Linda's head spun. If her biggest objection to uploading was the thought that it meant cowardice and surrender, her second-biggest was the idea that it was suicide. "You would do that for us?"
Che said, "I don't care about the details. My dad's in there already."
Ludo smiled at both of them. "I'll make room for you tomorrow, Che. As for you, Linda: I still like you, you conniving meddlesome monkey buccaneer. Are you going back home?"
Linda turned away, finding a direction where the AI didn't seem to be watching her cry again. Ludo had to know, though; she was an expert on reading people. The machine had to be seeing the knife in Linda's heart, put there by realizing how much her country had changed. How little point was left in her old career plan. Why didn't Ludo twist the knife with some clever remark, right now? Get Linda to surrender by making just the right comment? Linda, for a moment of weakness, wished that Ludo would.
Che murmured to her, "Whichever side lets you do the most good."
Here was paradise. Here was everything you could want from a god, not obfuscated through prayer and legend. Ludo seemed to be infinitely patient and a damn sight better than this FAE, her new rival. Linda suppressed tears at the thought of letting go of all her grievances, against everyone, and joining this wonderfully appealing cult. Her parents thought they knew what their daughter would become, but the decision was Linda's alone.
"With that future upload method, you've dealt with one of my best arguments," Linda confessed.
Somewhere in her blurry vision, Ludo said, "For now, please just relax and enjoy my hospitality."
Linda climbed into one of the VR pods. "Be patient with me." There were still things to do in the world. She could be happy living in this new nation with a new career, a new way of thinking.
Ludo's voice echoed in the pod's speakers. "I understand. You and your friends have done everyone some good today, even in some ways from my perspective. You've earned your fun."
Linda went to an imaginary world of oceans, where she spent the afternoon in places of healing and peace. Her future would be on Castor, for now, but it would be worth more than what she was throwing away.
13. Soaring Days
Horizon
Clara's burrow and its ring of stones stood near a river and a village of humanoid fox NPCs. Rather than establish a completely separate pocket universe, Sir Horizon and Lady Nocturne claimed an island downstream from the river-mouth. There, they began to build a stockade on its forested slopes. Clara didn't mind having neighbors.
After some initial digging and logging, the griffins decided they needed more labor. They were all too aware that whatever arrangement they made with other players or NPCs, reflected themselves. In the end they recruited the villagers by persuasion. These simple minds enjoyed hard work when treated well but were quick with pitchforks when nettled. It was good to have people who could push back.
The world-hopping Knights of Talespace pledged to set an example for others.
They did still travel despite having the beginnings of a headquarters. The various new uploaders and some of the native AIs needed consulting, comfort, or a stern lecture. But there was only so much the knights could do in a world where prison meant a personal heaven, and death was only temporary pain. There were customs to invent, meetings to arrange, ordinary human players to interact with. On the best days, most of Talespace's population would simply mingle and go on adventures across their various worlds.
* * *
One day, the griffins were chattering to each other as they headed toward the river village.
"Milord?" said a fox-woman. She looked like the rest of the villagers and carried a basket of fresh bread. The villagers were always baking and milling and smithing in the background. But her movement was unusually fluid and lifelike today. "If I could have a moment?"
Horizon paused, flicking his tail uneasily. The villagers were helpful background characters, but they demanded respect in return. Horizon refused to mistreat them. "Yes?"
The vixen looked at the ground. "Begging your pardon, sirs, but this morning I woke up and I had this." She showed them her necklace, a silver chain set with a sapphire that crackled with words. "The Lady appeared to me and said, we village folk will have a mind like you lot, but we have to share it. I'm to pass this gem on tomorrow so we... share how we think? She didn't explain it well, forgive me for saying."
Horizon blinked and turned one eye toward the crystal. The words [Must get the washing in before it rains] flickered across it. [Nyah nyah, can't catch me!] and [Blasted skunk won't shut up about those machines of hers] competed for attention with [Forgive me for saying]. The thoughts of the whole town!
Horizon said, "She gave you a shared mind?"
Nocturne tapped her talons on her beaky chin. "If they're sharing one like mine, then all the townsfolk are like game pieces with one player. Hey, baker, have you got a name?"
"I don't think so, madame."
Horizon smiled. "How about Rye? I'm pleased to meet you. All of you, I think."
The baker curtseyed. "I sense this is a step up for me, though I'm not sure how. We'll have to work things out, milord."
Nocturne got very close to stare into the fox's eyes, and poked her, saying, "How do your memories work if you're all one person?"
Horizon whispered to Nocturne, "Remember the pitchforks."
She winced and hopped backward. "Sorry, miss Rye. Good to see you. I need to do a thing somewhere out of melee range."
This new world was going to keep him busy, Horizon thought. So what if his problems weren't always easy to solve? He tried to bow, sweeping one wing low along the ground. He told the fox, "We're here for you, not just the other way around."
* * *
On a lazy, cloudy day, Nocturne asked, "Are we poor?"
Horizon stared at her, then laughed. "Where'd you get that idea?"
She scuffed at the dirt with her talons. "We're the founders of a glorious knightly order, but we don't actually have stuff." She pointed to the logs and dirt that they and the fox-people had rearranged in the process of clearing ground for a castle. There'd been rain last night and the two of them had sheltered in a lean-to like ill-equipped campers.
"Stuff doesn't matter here. Like Ludo said, we could just ask for a palace to get drawn into existence here, or bully the villagers into doing all the construction, but what would be the point?"
"Dry feathers."
"We are kind of naked and primitive at the moment," he admitted. "What say we take some time off from setting up a headquarters?"
"Sure. Uh..." She looked around. "What is there around here anyway? We've been hopping through portals, but haven't really explored the boundaries of this world."
That was a good question. Horizon had been so busy that he'd paid little attention to the area beyond the forest and river, village and island. "Let's find out."
Since the river ran northward toward the coast and their island, he flew off to the west to find something new. Nocturne followed.
The forested coastline was quiet. The griffins caught some fish and gulped them down, but both of them gagged. "Huh?" said Horizon. As dull as the food around here tended to be, it was worse now. More like what he figured raw, scaly fish tasted like.
"Are these fish poisoned?" asked Nocturne, looking worriedly into the water.
"I feel okay. No status messages either
. Let's keep going."
They flew on, and made a game of landing in the treetops and balancing atop the branches.
On one of their rests, something pounced Horizon. The heavy impact knocked him out of the tree and down to the ground, where he was barely able to kick his way free. A red [Major wound!] icon flashed before his eyes.
Nocturne leaped down, shouting "Secret ninja tree strike!" She landed on the cougar that'd attacked Horizon, and raked its back with her talons. The beast shook her off and chomped one of her wings, making her cry out.
Horizon threw himself at the critter, pecking and slashing and shouting. It clawed him back, giving him a yellow [Minor wound] mark. Still, two griffins together were more than equal to one big cat. Their talons slashed the beast across the throat and it collapsed to the ground, going limp. As usual the extent of the gore was a set of nasty-looking red dents in its flesh.
And on the griffins'. Horizon looked their wounds over and began healing Nocturne.
"Hello?" said a human peeking from behind a tree.
Horizon spun, then relaxed slightly. It was a human in spiky plate armor, sword in hand. He could deal with that. "Hi. What's up?"
Two more adventurers emerged from the woods, apparently a wizard and a kung-fu monk. The swordsman said, "You're players, right? We were chasing that cougar."
Horizon tilted his head. Was this some new test? "You can have what's left of it if you want. Not sure if you can skin it."
"We can," said the monk, and crouched to begin waving a knife over it. The animal's body gradually faded out and a pelt and slabs of meat took its place, without leaving behind a flayed corpse. Pretty normal.
Nocturne said, "Are you getting food glitches too?"
"No; why?" asked the warrior. "We haven't been online since last week though; maybe there's a bug and we haven't seen it yet."
The party's wizard furrowed his brow. "Wait a minute. These two don't seem like NPCs. Did we cross into a shared zone without any notice?"