by C. P. Odom
Now McDunn looked more somber than any of his friends had ever seen him. “So I decided to form a conspiracy—with you, my closest friends and comrades—to make sure the British Empire does not fall, and to hopefully lay the groundwork to correct its more severe faults, of course, but to keep it going.”
After a long, thoughtful pause, McDunn wondered whether he had pushed too far or too quickly because the others didn’t meet his eyes.
Finally, Georgiana lifted her head. “Why Britain? Why not America? It is much larger, and from what you said, has much greater resources?”
“For one thing, because I’m here in England, which is also going to be the prime player in what will come to be known as the Industrial Revolution. America will remain a nation of farmers for quite some time though their industry will indeed grow over the next century. So it will be easier for me to introduce the scientific innovations I think will be needed to give Britain the lead over other countries as its empire grows.
“In the United States, I’d have to start all over, and there has always been a built-in reluctance in the American psyche against getting involved in foreign affairs. More to the point, America’s industrial capacity is not at all up to England’s at this time.
“In addition, the United States has another problem, a really huge one, and that’s slavery. It’s going to lead to an unbelievably savage civil war between the northern and southern parts of my country. Britain has already outlawed slavery, and the United States should have done the same when they wrote the Constitution. But they didn’t, and they’re going to have to pay the price for their omission. My plan calls for an enhanced British Empire, armed to a level of military prowess that will seem almost magical to those in America, to step in, declare peace, and effectively bring the United States into the empire.”
“Civil wars are always the bloodiest of wars,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said, “and they lead to the most intense and long lasting hatreds.”
“In the United States, the animosities between parts of the country, especially the different racial and ethnic contingents, were still a problem when I lived there, almost two hundred years later. The Empire can stop it and also bring the States into the Empire. I think both sides can be made to like it if the Empire has the political will to do what is needed. But the crux of my plan is for the British military to be so overwhelmingly superior to everyone that the mere idea of resistance will be dismissed as lunacy.
“That will be in part scientific, which is my specialty, but also partly due to superior tactics, strategies, and training, which Fitz and I will explore from my historical records. The day of cavalry is done though there will be some who will attest otherwise in my world almost a hundred years from now.”
“I was afraid you were going to say that,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said, the anguish in his voice palpable.
“Over. Finished. Done, Fitz. Horses will continue to provide an important transportation function for some time to come, but it’ll be to get Imperial troops in position to dismount and bring high volumes of accurate rifle fire against the enemy—which is why I constructed that hand-made, bolt-action rifle. You and I have only fired it about a half-dozen times because of the lack of ammunition, but it works. And finding a way to manufacture more ammunition is a technical and manufacturing problem that can be solved in time.”
“Superb firearm,” agreed Fitzwilliam. “Simply superb.”
“But it’s only a first step. You’ve seen our other rifles, the ones Dancer and I brought with us, the ones able to fire semi-auto and full auto with telescopic sights to reach really long ranges. But our country—Britain—is never going to be able to acquire those firearms for our military if they have to be handmade. That’s why we have to build the tools to fabricate the improved arms I believe will be needed by the Imperial military. And all of this needs to be done in the strictest secrecy! It won’t do the Empire any good if its advantage is only transitory, as it would be if other countries are able to buy or steal our improved technology.
“I think that’s going to be Mrs. Darcy’s specialty, for reasons I’ll get into later.” He looked directly at Elizabeth and read the shock on her face. “But security is only one component of the function of Intelligence. We want to keep our stuff secret because our superior technology will be a big part of the Imperial military’s dominance. We also need to know what any potential adversary is doing, and whether they make any sudden leaps in capability that might be traced back to leaks in our security, such as somebody stealing our stuff.
“I have to be absolutely, cold-bloodedly blunt here, ladies and gentlemen. We have to be ready to kill when necessary but also smart enough to know when not to kill. Our future Intelligence organization can’t get a reputation either as pushovers or as ruthless murderers.
“That’s why I’ve tentatively selected Mrs. Darcy to learn the business of Intelligence and organize and run Imperial Intelligence, though it will really be our own Intelligence for the foreseeable future, not the present government’s. Our conspiracy will have to provide the funding for that as well as some of the military improvements. That’s the reason I suggested Mrs. Darcy as the leader for this part of our plan.
“We simply cannot take a chance on British codes of honor when the future of the world is at stake, and the concept of chivalry and honor is almost exclusively the purview of gentlemen. Dancer and I have seen the future, and the number of people in our world who are going to die if we do nothing is literally incalculable. We want to avoid the path of doing nothing, and I believe Elizabeth Darcy has too much common sense, astuteness, and responsibility to refuse to face what needs to be done when it comes to the safety and welfare of her children, her grandchildren, and her country. The perfect spymaster.”
Several of the others, especially Darcy and Fitzwilliam looked doubtful, but McDunn just smiled. “But the reasons I’ve just given, while important, are by no means the sole reason for my decision. Consider the general opinion of Mrs. Darcy with the people outside our circle. They might remark that she’s intelligent, witty, a good judge of character, and most of all, a beautiful woman. She is not someone the outside world would consider a likely conspirator and a spymaster. On the arm of her husband, she would be seen as an attractive ornament for a very wealthy and important man. It would be the perfect cover for her to disguise the work she would do.”
McDunn then turned to his wife. “As you and I discussed, Dancer, we’re going to need you to lead the complete renovation of medicine in Britain and the Empire, especially when it concerns things like providing medical support to our combat troops. And medical breakthroughs are going to be treated as Imperial assets and will be neither given away nor sold to other countries. They will be protected by our Security. If other countries want access to Imperial medical care, they are going to have to meet the standards we’re going to demand before we’ll allow them to join the Empire. It may be heartless, but I do not want my new country to go the way of my old country due to misplaced altruism.”
“I note you have made several references to ‘my country’ in this soliloquy, Major McDunn,” Georgiana said.
“My country is dead, Miss Darcy,” McDunn said flatly. “It committed cultural suicide though it’s doubtful it could have stood against a world determined to do the same. I could never go back to that future time even if it were possible. And Dancer and Kaswallon made sure no one else will ever come here by blowing up the Siege Perilous.”
“I understand the need for secrecy, Major McDunn,” Elizabeth said quietly, though her eyes were stricken at the thought of such responsibilities, “and I think it will be necessary several decades from now. But is it really important at this time?”
“Ah, that’s the interesting part of your assignment. We have to start organizing, and it’s going to be rather difficult if we don’t start right away. It was a truism in my time that Security was more a stat
e of mind than a list of procedures to follow. We have to cultivate the proper state of mind starting right now so we can train and prepare people to carry on after we’re gone.”
“That will be rather challenging,” Darcy said. “But I note you have outlined prospective responsibilities only for yourself, your wife, and my wife. Do you have plans for the rest of us?”
“I thought you would notice that! Well, I haven’t quite figured out whether your cousin will be more valuable in the military or whether we should start grooming him to be prime minister. As for your sister, I think she’s learned a lot of history, military history, and theory while helping me. As Fitz’s wife, she can be his secret advisor.”
“Eddie! Do you ever think about something before you say it?”
“Well, who could mistake what their intentions are, given the way they look at each other? And I couldn’t give any explanation why Richard hasn’t said something, given he’s a man of action, so I submit they need a little guidance. I admit I was a little worried at first since they’re first cousins and all, but that’s not a problem here in England.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana’s eyes were downcast and both of them had flushed scarlet.
Good! he thought. We need to get this arrangement formalized! We have work to do!
“I left you until the last,” McDunn said, returning his attention to Darcy, “because I’m even less sure about what would be the best role for you. I sketched out a number of roles, and mine is a combination of scientific invention—since I did train as an engineer—and business, which I’m still learning. But we all know I need to stay out of the limelight completely, so I suspect your role will be as an industrial magnate—the controlling force behind all the companies we’ll want to form once Britain makes corporations legal. That’s going to be challenging enough for you since you grew up in a world where wealth was measured by the ownership of land, but that world’s already changing and will change even more.
“But you might well have to assume a different role, one I don’t think will be to your liking. If Richard proves to be more valuable in a military role, we will need you in politics and statesmanship.”
“No!” Darcy said, instantly and firmly.
“I’m afraid so, old friend,” McDunn said sympathetically. “There are a number of areas that can only be addressed if we have a major player in the world of politics— for one thing, making preparations to support the growth of the Empire while also limiting the mistakes committed by private enterprises trying to take on the role of government. To be exact, wresting the control of India away from the British East India Company. In my world, the Empire didn’t displace the Company until almost 1860, but more is needed and earlier than then—much earlier. India needs to become a full-fledged part of the Empire with self-rule so it doesn’t revolt or get exploited as a colony. Britain lost India a century later because they didn’t do it, which was the same mistake they made in the American colonies. Avoiding such mistakes can only be prevented through political means.”
“I did not say no solely because I do not like politics, though that is certainly true. But I know myself, and I know I am not up to the challenge,” Darcy said.
“I have thought this over very deeply, even before I came up with the points I’ve made tonight, Darcy. I am convinced you can handle the challenge, and I’d like you to read as much history as you can on my third tablet before it fails.”
“So it is failing?” Sandra asked, taking his hand in hers.
“I’m afraid so, Dancer. Georgiana and I have been trying to stay on top of it. The diagnostic software is moving things around as much as it can, but eventually, information in the memory will start disappearing—if it doesn’t fail catastrophically.”
“Too bad! I’d hoped to get more out of it.”
“There’s nothing to be done, and we got three years out of it. You had two—no, three!—strokes of genius when you came into the cave after me. You brought your two tablets, and the medical supplies. The gold turned out to be nice but not absolutely necessary.”
“You said three strokes of genius, Eddie,” she asked, her brows furrowed.
“You brought yourself, Dancer,” McDunn said softly.
She looked at him silently for a moment then leaned close and whispered, “Don’t plan on getting much sleep tonight. You’re going to be busy.”
“See? It’s no wonder I married you!” he whispered back, but not nearly as silently.
“That is enough, Sandra!” Elizabeth said firmly. “If you keep distracting Major McDunn, we will never find out why my husband needs to go into politics.”
“To be perfectly frank, I think either he or Richard needs to be prime minister,” McDunn said.
“Oh, my dear Lord!” Darcy said, an almost a plaintive wail in his voice. And Fitzwilliam looked equally stricken though it looked suspiciously as though Georgiana had seized his hand beneath the table.
“Of course. How else will you be able to force the country to adopt a constitution if you’re not prime minister? It should be modeled after the United States Constitution—with modifications, of course. I know of some, but I’m sure you can help me find others. I don’t know if we can implement this before the Empire intervenes to avoid the American Civil War and bring the States into the Empire, but we’ll certainly have to do it then if we hope to convince the Americans.
“But Britain needs it just as much because there is a massive defect in the British parliamentary government, as good as it is. There’s no written constitution guaranteeing the rights of the citizens and limiting what the government can do, and England in my time got to the point where Parliament could rule as a tyranny between general elections as long as they didn’t lose a vote of confidence. Government is a necessary evil, but it needs limits on what it can do. The US Constitution is a good place to start, so future governments cannot simply redesign what the Constitution says until it’s meaningless. That was what my country was trying to recover from when the final wars started.”
“How on earth am I going to be able to do that?” Darcy asked.
McDunn had to hide a smile because he detected interest rather than instant rejection in his voice.
“In addition to studying technology over the past month, I also studied history, so I can point out some areas that will give us ideas.” McDunn drained his Scotch then stood. “And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the end of tonight’s speech. Think on what I’ve said, and we can talk later. But remember, Security with a capital ‘S.’ No matter how good my intentions are, a number of things I said tonight could be very dangerous if they got out. I would prefer our conspiracy, if you decide to join me, not come to a premature end because a servant thought we were plotting the overthrow of the King. Now if you’ll excuse us, my wife and I have an appointment.”
The remaining four looked at each other in silence after the McDunns left, arm in arm.
“Interesting,” Darcy said at last.
“I thought McDunn was extremely bright and inventive for a military man,” Fitzwilliam said. “But I never anticipated this! The concept is so far-reaching! It betrays a kind of…well, almost philosophical leaning on his part.”
“I think he is right,” Elizabeth said. “I looked in his eyes when he said, ‘My country is dead, Miss Darcy.’ I saw the truth and the horror in his eyes, and I think he is determined to take whatever steps are necessary to keep the same thing from happening to our country. And I will help him.”
She turned to her husband. “As will you, my darling. Since I have no more idea how to be—how was it he put it?—a spymaster?—than you have to be a prime minister, we both can learn together.”
“Until that tablet goes bad,” Georgiana said, worry in her voice.
“He and Sandra have four others,” Elizabeth responded. “And, if I understand correctly, sev
eral of theirs are made to a more rugged standard than the tablet that is failing, and they are keeping those in reserve. Our source of information and history ought to last long enough for us to get this conspiracy up and running.”
She smiled after she said that. “If nothing else, Major McDunn has provided me with all sorts of new sayings. ‘Up and running’ is truly marvelous!”
“His best is ‘up the creek without a paddle,’” Fitzwilliam said. “That was made for a soldier!”
“Actually, I believe he phrased it, at least once, a bit more earthily, Colonel,” Georgiana said demurely. “And he mentioned being without a spoon rather than a paddle.”
Unfortunately, at that moment, Fitzwilliam was draining the last of his Scotch with the result that it went down the wrong way, reducing him to a fit of coughing. Darcy started to move to Fitzwilliam’s side, but his sister waved him away.
“You and Elizabeth go on to bed, William,” she said softly. “I will attend to my cousin. In any case, I think he and I need a few words together.”
Darcy paused a moment then nodded sharply. “To be sure,” he said simply then left the room with Elizabeth on his arm.
Epilogue
Trying to predict the future is a discouraging and hazardous occupation. If by some miracle a prophet could describe the future exactly as it was going to take place, his predictions would sound so absurd that people everywhere would laugh him to scorn. The only thing we can be sure of about the future is that it will be absolutely fantastic. So, if what I say now seems to you to be very reasonable, then I will have failed completely. Only if what I tell you appears absolutely unbelievable have we any chance of visualizing the future as it really will happen.
— Arthur C. Clarke,