by Josh Leone
Sha let his neurotech examine the control bot’s programming log. Any lesser computer might have missed it but Sha’s tech detected a slight irregularity in the logs. For apparently no reason the bot had accelerated when it should have braked. It was just a few lines of code inserted at the right moment but it had been enough to send the truck hurtling into oncoming traffic.
Still reeling from the idea that he’d been manipulated into stealing the regulators, Jacobs was unable to speak. But Julie Marx had no such trouble. Sha admired her strength, again reminded of his wife.
“Are you saying this was all a setup, Mr. Sha? That someone took advantage of my accident?”
“I’m afraid it’s much more than that, Ms. Marx. I think someone arranged your accident specifically to put Kevin in a position where he could be manipulated into stealing those regulators.”
“Who would do such a thing?” she asked. “And why? It seems so overly complicated just to steal some ship parts.”
“Yes,” said Jacobs. “It makes no sense. If someone could get someone inside a base and maintain him there for months, why not just have them steal the regulators? And the effort required to fake the IDs, pass all the security checks, and aren’t nano-masks pretty expensive? It hardly seems worth it!”
“Nano-masks of the quality you describe are very expensive, not to mention illegal,” Sha said. “Also, if it was about credits, aren’t there more valuable and easier to transport items at a Legion supply depot?”
“By the Holy Mother, yes!” exclaimed Jacobs. “One phase-engine power core would sell for a thousand times what those regulators went for. Len, or whoever he was, could have grabbed one anytime he wanted.”
“So we can assume it wasn’t about credits,” Sha concluded. “Whatever the point of it was, one thing is clear. This has been in the works for years. We’ve all been manipulated and maneuvered along a very specific and complicated path.”
“What can we do about it, Mr. Sha?” Julie asked. “How can we fight something like this?”
“You don’t,” Sha said. “You live your lives, stay safe, and stay out of it. I think your part is finished and I won’t be responsible for more people getting hurt by this thing. Promise me you’ll stay clear of this from now on.”
“We promise, Mr. Sha.”
Just as Sha was about to end the call Kevin Jacobs spoke up. “Honored Returned, Pietra was lucky to have found you.”
“No, she wasn’t,” Sha said. “But I’m grateful she did.”
◊
Vashek sat across from Teresk, a beatific smile upon his perfect face. Teresk was also beautiful of course, like an ancient Greek goddess. But Teresk had to admit that there was something more than just beauty in Vashek’s features. There was an undeniable grace and surety that showed through in every movement. Teresk’s body may have been a work of art, but Vashek’s was a masterpiece.
Vashek’s P.A. stood nearby, a few meters away from his master, appearing casual and suitably humble. Franks was a predatory creature, of that Teresk had no doubt. Exactly the sort of person someone like Vashek would have in his service.
Teresk’s own P.A. was also present. Oscali had served Caller Sarthol and now acted in the same role for Teresk. Oscali was older than Teresk but they’d practically grown up together in Sarthol’s household. Sometimes the P.A. felt more like a big brother to her than like a servant.
Oscali had been heavily modified. Standing two and a half meters tall, with the heavy, broad build common to high gravity planets, Oscali was an intimidating presence. The massive man sported extensive tech as well as a large selection of biologically engineered enhancements to bone, muscle, and organ function.
Neither Oscali nor Franks had taken their eyes off each other for over half an hour. The antagonism between the two was palpable. Vashek, on the other hand, had been nothing but polite, the perfect guest. If she wanted to maintain etiquette Teresk could be no less the congenial host.
“An excellent selection of dishes, my sister,” Vashek said using the familiar term Callers sometimes used among themselves.
‘Brothers and sisters,’ thought Teresk. ‘As if we’re family, even if one of its older brothers is bat-shit crazy.’ Out loud she simply said, “Thank you, my brother. I am pleased you like them. Each was made using ingredients grown on these very grounds.”
“Indeed? The wine is especially good.”
“From Sarthol’s private vineyard. Wine was something of a passion of his.”
“It is easy for us to forget the simple pleasures. Our unique physiologies require so little maintenance that I sometimes go for many days without eating. If it were not for my P.A., I suspect I might forget entirely.”
Vashek tasted small bites of each dish, savoring each in its turn. Teresk, not sure what to say, did the same, using the pause in conversation to collect her thoughts. Vashek would choose his words carefully and Teresk knew she would need to be on the lookout. This dinner would be a verbal fencing match. Vashek would take his time in getting to the point. The Caller may be insane but Teresk knew he was also incredibly brilliant and a master of subtlety.
“Why do you oppose me so enthusiastically in Assembly, my sister?”
Teresk was caught with her fork in her mouth. Vashek had simply skipped all preambles and driven directly to the heart of the matter. It was exactly what Teresk had not expected and exactly the correct way to put her off balance. To avoid being impolite Teresk was forced to take her time, chew her food, and swallow, all while Vashek stared at her and waited for her reply. It flustered her.
“Apologies, my sister, I’ve caught you with your mouth full. Please, take your time.”
‘Damn him!’ thought Teresk. ‘Now he acts the part of the gracious guest, taking the reins of the conversation away from her in her own house!’
Teresk felt embarrassed and angry, emotional responses that depleted her ability to think clearly. She was being made to feel foolish, as though Vashek were the host and she the guest. It was infuriating but outwardly she remained calm and finished her bite, refusing to let Vashek rush her.
“I appreciate your bluntness, Caller Vashek. To be honest, it is a refreshing change. I oppose you because your plans involve risking the integrity of the Calling Tower, the central symbol of humanity’s connection with the Holy Mother.”
“Yes,” Vashek said. “As did Sarthol, in his time.”
“Caller Sarthol was very wise,” Teresk replied.
“Yes, but Sarthol was also old, older than myself even. He was bound to the past. I’d hoped his successor might be more open to new ideas.”
“Just because an idea is old,” Teresk said. “That does not mean it is wrong.”
“Teresk, can you not see what I am offering? You are the youngest sitting Caller by far. Your mind is still flexible. The other Callers, they’ve become a collection of frightened old creatures, holding on to their lives and power like misers hoarding credits.”
“Caution is not the same as fear, Vashek.”
“No, and stagnation is not the same as security. Threats to humanity grow every day. New species are discovered almost yearly and disruptive elements within the Primacy are on the rise. The citizenry is beginning to see the Council for the lumbering thing it is. Soon, perhaps within this century, humanity will begin to believe it does not need us. We have to offer them something more than merely enhanced versions of themselves.”
“You would make yourself the equal of the Holy Mother, Vashek? Is that your goal?”
“Why not?”
Teresk was shocked. She knew that Vashek’s lust for power was great and it didn’t surprise her that he aspired to godhood. But for him to be so brazen about it. His words were outright blasphemy.
Vashek seemed to realize what he’d said. There was a deadly silence in the room and Teresk knew the Caller was calculating his best course of action. Franks hadn’t moved yet there was something about him that made it seem like he was waiting to spring. Behind her Teres
k sensed Oscali making ready to defend.
The room actually seemed to grow warmer, as though the house itself was preparing to attack Vashek and his P.A. - probably not far from the truth considering the house A.I.’s earlier suggestion. It was a tense moment, but then it passed.
“Caller Teresk,” Vashek said, rising from his seat. “I am genuinely sorry we could not resolve our differences. I ask you to keep in mind a piece of wisdom from long before the Calling Tower rose up from the Earth.
“All the armies in the world are not as powerful as an idea whose time has come.”
The way he said it made Teresk’s skin crawl, as though it was a foregone conclusion that Vashek would win the day and Teresk would be well advised to stand aside.
“Thank you for your hospitality, my sister.”
Vashek did not wait for a response. He simply turned to leave, followed by his P.A. Teresk walked him out, Oscali at her back. After Vashek had departed the estate, Teresk returned to the dining room. She sat down, looking at the food before her, her stomach quivering at the madness she’d seen in Vashek. There was no doubt now. The Caller was entirely insane and he meant to follow through with his plans for ascension regardless of the danger. Oscali took a seat across from her.
“That snake is going to strike, and soon,” Oscali said, echoing her own thoughts.
“Yes,” Teresk agreed.
“It may be wise to strike first, to take the initiative from Vashek,” offered Pirom.
“Pirom has a point,” agreed Oscali. “Vashek may be crazy, but he’s also been at this game for a very long time. When he strikes I fear we won’t see it coming.”
Teresk considered the advice but only for a moment. The simple truth was that she had no effective way to strike first. Vashek had revealed himself to her in an uncharacteristic display of emotion but she was certain he would not make such a mistake again.
Pirom had recorded the entire exchange of course, but that meant little. Video and audio recordings hadn’t been legally admissible as evidence for thousands of years. Image manipulation was simply too easy. It would be her word alone to prove the recordings were real.
“No,” Teresk said. “We cannot allow Vashek to goad us into premature action. That’s exactly what he wants from us. That way he can discredit me in front of the Council, neutralizing me as an obstacle.”
“That does sound like him,” Pirom said. “Sarthol and I would often debate tactics with regard to Vashek. Often, Sarthol said, ‘One must be wary of what one gives away during an attack.’”
“During my early education,” said Oscali. “Sarthol would teach me the basics of strategy using games such as Chess and Go. The baiting of an enemy to act impulsively to the detriment of its overall strategy was a common theme.”
“Then we wait,” Teresk decided. “When Vashek acts we respond with every resource available.”
“Risky,” said Pirom.
“Dangerous,” added Oscali.
Teresk said nothing, knowing they were right, knowing also that she had no other option.
◊
Seth, Vig, and Iyanna had managed to enjoy their time aboard the Judgment, but were not sad to leave when the time came. All three looked forward to getting back on the Enduring Journey and away from everything Legion, at least until they got word from Jonah.
Departure was handled in much the same way as arrival. The Journey remained under Legion control until it was a suitable distance from the massive world-ship. It made Seth itchy to have his ship under someone else’s control, though he knew it was for the best. The area around a world-ship was a place of constant and heavy traffic flying between the multi-level discs of the giant structure.
Eventually, after too long a time for Seth’s liking, Judgment’s control computer released his ship.
“Enduring Journey,” the control computer said. “You are authorized to leave the area. Please do so immediately.”
“Gosh,” said Vig. “I guess they don’t like us anymore.”
Seth smiled, saying, “The feeling is mutual.”
Seth plotted a course away from the Legion ship, opened a gate, and entered the safety of phase space, very glad to be on his way. Vig left the bridge to check on the engines and make sure the Legion hadn’t left any surprises. Iyanna took the chair Vig normally occupied and began running system checks.
Seth appreciated how Iyanna had made herself useful. It had been one of his better decisions to make her part of the crew. And, he had to admit, she was good. Vig had been more than happy to let her take up his co-pilot duties while he devoted his full attention to being an engineer.
The Legion had ‘paid’ Seth for his services by removing his and Vig’s names from the Lists. Iyanna had received her credits for being the Legion’s watchdog and had taken no small amount of personal satisfaction in having them deposited into the Journey’s crew account, saying it was the least she could do after Seth and Vig had let her join the family.
With all three of them now once more citizens of the Primacy, the ship in nearly new condition, and the crew account flush with funds, life was pretty good. Seth had a destination in mind.
Now that they could again work legit jobs in Primacy space, Seth wanted to try out the core worlds. There were always jobs available there and never enough quality haulers to take them all.
‘Well,’ thought Seth. ‘Now there’ll be one more.’
Seth wanted to enjoy his new citizenship while he could. He had a feeling it was going to be temporary.
Chapter 9
She brings allies into each life, though She leaves it to Her children to see them.
-Book of Gifts (3-5)
Sha drifted. He allowed his conscious mind to be lulled into a calm state by the sight of the deep ocean outside one of the large windows of Vashek’s submerged estate. Fish swam across his view and he studied them without focusing too hard on any single one. While his mind was in this state, his tech analyzed what he’d learned.
The death of his wife had been just one piece of what was obviously a much larger plot. That plot had been developing for many years. The only one Sha could be certain was not responsible for the plot was Caller Teresk who, for some as yet unknown reason, was also a target of whatever force was behind the plot.
The plotter, or plotters, held significant power in the Primacy and had access to significant resources. It was too complex and long-ranging to just be about credits, which told Sha that the real goal was power of another sort. Political? Social? Personal? What kind of power would motivate such a thing? Perhaps all three?
It was too vast for Sha. He was a warrior, he thought in tactics. But this thing was written in the language of strategy, long term planning, and the orchestration of forces on multiple fronts. Sha had to admit it. He was out of his depth. But he couldn’t give up. This had gone beyond Pietra’s death. Other people were being hurt. How many Julie Marx’s and Kevin Jacobs’ were out there even now suffering because of the same plot?
For Sha it was no longer about anger or revenge. It was about duty. He was Honored Returned. He’d sworn an oath to use that power in service to the Holy Mother Earth and Her children. Someone was hurting good people, people like Pietra, Julie Marx, and Kevin Jacobs. Sha had to stop it no matter what it took. If only he could figure out how.
◊
Dr. Levin had not slept for almost a week. Stimulants had kept his body moving and others had kept his mind sharp, but he was starting to feel the effects. His hand had developed a slight tremor but that was fine because the delicate work ahead would be handled by specialists in fields not his own. At this stage in the project Dr. Levin acted mostly in a supervisory capacity, making sure things were done well and on schedule.
His secretary called and told him Caller Vashek wished to speak with him.
“Put the call through to my room.”
“Ah, no sir,” the bot said. “Caller Vashek is waiting to speak with you… in your office.”
“He’s h
ere?” Levin scrambled out of his bed and into a pair of pants, shirt, and shoes.
“Yes, sir” the bot replied. “In your office.”
What the hell was Vashek doing here? What was wrong? What did the Caller expect now? Levin’s thoughts raced as he tried to comb his hair and take care of other basic hygiene all at the same time.
When Levin arrived at his office he saw Vashek sitting in his chair behind his large desk. The doctor knew better than to take offense. So long as the funding kept coming, Vashek could sit where he liked.
“Dr. Levin, I hope I am not disturbing you.”
“No, of course not, Caller. I am honored by your presence as always.”
“I would like an update on our project.”
“Of course, Caller. I would be happy to show you my progress.” It was only when he began to move that Levin noticed that Vashek’s P.A. was also in the office, standing in a corner, watching.
Levin showed Vashek to the main lab, Franks in tow. Due to the late hour the lab was empty except for a technician sitting at a console monitoring vital signs of the labs only other occupant.
The transparent tube holding the fully matured bioform rested in the exact center of the lab, hundreds of wires and flexible tubes spreading out from it across the floor. Vashek ordered the technician to leave. Levin was annoyed that the Caller was giving directions to his staff.
“I need it ready in four days.”
“No!” The word had escaped the doctor’s lips before he’d realized what he was shouting. “Umm, what I mean is, that’s not possible. The bioform is finished but the tech you wanted installed will require at least a week by itself. Then another two weeks to construct a personality matrix.”
“I do not require the personality matrix and I am certain your staff will be able to handle the surgeries in time.”