The Alembic Plot: A Terran Empire novel

by Ann Wilson

  33. Discussion 2

  A knock on Medart's door didn't surprise him. "Come in, Mike--I'vebeen waiting for you."

  Odeon entered, tying the belt of his robe. "You've had some sort ofodd experience too, then?"

  "Yeah. A mental visit from someone who calls himself Satan, or Shayan,or Lucius. Want some coffee?"

  "I'll make myself some tea, thanks." Odeon busied himself doing so,thinking that it was clear both of them were in seriously unfamiliarterritory. "Did he tell you anything useful?"

  "Yeah, sort of, though it seems I can't talk about all of it."

  Odeon snorted a laugh. "That doesn't surprise me! So much of this iskeeping secrets from various people, I'd be astonished if you couldtell me everything. At least I can tell you that the permanentProtector's shown up, so Joanie doesn't have that problem any longer."

  "Whoever it was did tell me that was happening. What nobody's toldanyone in the Empire is what the Protector is."

  Odeon frowned, staring at his cup. "That's because Joanie told us toavoid talking about religion. But I don't think we're going to be ableto avoid it any longer. You know I'm Catholic, and the bio sketch Iread on you says you're Omnist--which I'm afraid doesn't mean much tome."

  "Not practicing, but yes. And your version of Catholicism is avariant; I studied Traditional theology on the way out here. In that,and in other Christian faiths outside the Systems, there's no mentionof a Protector. Instead, it's Christ's second coming that's supposedto start God's kingdom."

  Odeon's frown grew deeper. "No Protector? But the Bible says--"

  "Your Bible," Medart corrected. "I'm a little surprised you didn't doany religious study, even though Joan told you not to discuss it. Ifyou want, I'll have my ship make you a copy of the Traditional Catholicversion, along with an outline of their teachings; except for thedoctrine of the Protector, that seems to be the branch your Foundersbelonged to."

  "I'd . . . appreciate that," Odeon said slowly. "You're telling mewe've been lied to?"

  "Not necessarily." Medart paused, studying the other. "Will you beoffended if I give you the Omnist position on different religions?"

  "I'll try not to be."

  "Good. The primary tenet is that all religions are true in part, nonein totality--Omnism included. While the Creator's both infallible andunchanging, the creations aren't; we change, hopefully mostly for thebetter, and He gives us different religions to reflect our changingneeds. I'd say that for some reason, your Founders were given arevelation about the Protector. I can't say how faithfully theyrecorded it, or if any interpretations were accurate, but another ofour primary beliefs is that the Creator plays fair with His creations.He doesn't lie, though we may misunderstand or otherwise screw up whatHe shows us." Medart grinned. "You told me yourself the realProtector's shown up, which should ease your mind on that score. Do Iknow @, by the way?"

  Odeon managed a smile. "You brought him. Joanie had Keith given histattoo, then made a comment about being anxious for the permanentProtector to take over. Keith offered to take that burden from her andhad that offer accepted--I'm not sure by Joanie. Then he sent me hereto visit you, telling me I had a lot to learn."

  "Keith, huh? Mind telling me what you believe the Protector is, nowthat we know who he is?"

  "Until a couple of minutes ago, I was certain the Protector was theThird Person of the Trinity. Now you tell me there's nothing knownabout him outside the Systems, when God is universal. So . . . I don'tknow. Did Lucius tell you anything about him?"

  "That he and the Protector are both restricted to the Systems, at leastfor a time, and that the Brotherhood's their problem. Of course, ifhe's who he claims to be, that could be a lie."

  "Damn." Odeon rubbed the back of his neck. "He told me months agothat his reputation as Father of Lies comes from humans who don't wantto believe him, that the truth was more useful and painful. Since thathurts, it probably is true."

  "It makes you feel betrayed."

  "Yeah." Odeon sighed. The Ranger wasn't mind-touching him, but he wascertain that wasn't necessary; he'd never been very good at hidingstrong feelings, and his current feeling of betrayal was as strong ashis anguish at Joanie's maiming had been. "What would he be, then?"

  Medart shrugged. "All I can give you is a guess."

  "I understand."

  "Okay. Bear in mind that I don't share your faith and ours usesdifferent terminology, so I'll have to do some more explaining, and youmay find that sacrilegious. Especially since you're a priest."

  "I'm properly warned; go ahead."

  "We'll start with the basic point we agree fully on, then. There isone Creator of all the universes, right?"

  "I only know of one universe, but other than that, yes."

  "There are more. You'll have to take my word for now, but I'll giveyou proof later. Anyway, you believe the Creator is three beings inone, a belief I don't share. We do agree, though, that there arelesser supernatural beings. Right again?"

  "The various kinds of angels and demons, yes."

  "And the souls of those who've died?"

  Odeon thought about that, then nodded slowly. "I suppose so, though Idon't usually think of them that way."

  "Even the saints, who work miracles?"

  "God works the miracles through them," Odeon corrected. "Okay, I cango along with all of that."

  "Good, because the next step is where you're going to get upset. Sinceeverything ultimately comes from the Creator, including the power towork miracles, Omnists don't see any practical difference whether theselesser beings intercede, as you believe, and the Creator works themiracle directly, or He delegates the power and they work the actualmiracle independently. Since demons in almost all theologies can workthe negative equivalent of miracles, and I don't think it likely they'dask the Creator's permission, I tend to the latter view."

  Odeon didn't like that, but looked at from a purely logical viewpoint,he couldn't argue. It was for damnsure Shayan could do things on thatorder. "Go on; I can handle it so far."

  Medart smiled. "You're doing better than I expected. Maybe you won'tblow up on me at this stage after all."

  "I've heard a couple of Imperials swearing 'by the Creator and all thegods', so I can make a guess. I don't like it one little bit, but I'dsay what we agree on as the lesser supernatural beings are what theymean by the last part of that phrase."

  "Exactly right! The Omnist definition of a god is a being subordinateto the Creator who is the proximate cause of a miracle. It's not ajudgement of good or bad; it's a simple term to distinguish those whowork miracles from those who don't. And if the Creator chooses, He cangrant a material being the powers and knowledge normally restricted tothose on the supernatural plane. From what you tell me, He loanedJoanie those powers temporarily, and has just given them toKeith--maybe permanently."

  "Umm." Odeon mulled that over for almost a full minute. That was alittle better than the absolute betrayal he'd felt before, but not bymuch. "We were promised the Final Coming of God, and His Kingdom--nota human transformed into an embodied angel or saint."

  Medart sighed. "Mike, I wish I could offer you what you really need,but that's the best I can do. If it's any consolation, I know andrespect Sandemans very much; you couldn't get anyone better for aProtector than one of their warriors. The only change I can seenecessary for him to function that way, besides enhancing his naturalattitudes and abilities, would be for him to be given a more openoutlook sexually."

  "I think he's been given that; at least he undressed when we did, andsaid he'd take my place conducting his service. But--part of theprotection is from sin. How can he do that when he doesn't even knowwhat our sins are?"

  "How do you know he doesn't, now? Giving him that information wouldhardly be beyond the Creator's power."

  Odeon rubbed the back of his hand, studying the blue circled triangleon each. "Do you know what these mean?" he asked abruptly.

  "No. I'm curious, but
elsewhere it's one of the symbols of theTrinity, so I didn't think I should ask just yet."

  "It is? Here it started out as the Brothers' symbol, and when you seeit burned into someone's hands, it's a mark of their particular hatred.When it's normal skin with a blue glow, like mine, it's the Protector'sSeal--means the person with them has given up the ability to sin." Hestudied them for several more seconds. "Considering what I think aboutbeing tricked the way we have been, I'm a little surprised he hasn'ttaken these away."

  "You're thinking standard human, not Sandeman warrior. I'm sure hethinks you're perfectly justified in feeling betrayed, since he's notwhat you were promised. While he can and will carry out the functions,since he accepted the position, and in Omnist terms has apparentlybecome a god, he certainly isn't the Creator." Medart paused,wondering if this were the time to broach the subject of Odeon becominga Ranger, or at least claiming his Imperial citizenship and moving toTerra. Before he could decide, Odeon solved that problem for him.

  "Jim--can I ask you something?"

  "Of course. I'll answer it as the private individual I am here, or asa Ranger, whichever you prefer."

  "What's the difference?"

  "As a private individual, I can take your feelings into consideration,and the answer doesn't have to be complete. As a Ranger, you get itall, with no shading. And I'll warn you in advance: most people don'task us questions, because they don't have the first option and theyknow they probably won't like our professional answers."

  Odeon managed a grin. He didn't mean it all the way, but Jim'sresponse did deserve something. "At this point, I'm feeling likenothing can go right, and I don't know what to do about it. I've gotto work something out, so you might as well give me the professionalversion."

  "Okay. In that case, I'm going to give you one more out. Lucius toldme something that makes me want--need, under our presentcircumstances--to get you into the Empire and a job that'll regularlyget you into dangerously interesting situations."

  "I'm Strike Force, Jim, even though I was taken off active duty fourmonths ago because I'm Joanie's heir. Danger's normal for us; it'sonly by God's grace I survived my first year, much less made it to agethirty-seven. And right now, I've got to admit I wouldn't exert a lotof effort to avoid getting killed. What job are you talking about?"

  "Let me get to it more gradually, okay?"

  "Okay, if that's your professional opinion."

  Medart chuckled. "It is--and that answer gives me a lot of hope.Besides feeling betrayed, I'd bet that being relieved of active duty,and now having Keith take over your work with Joan, have you feelinguseless as well. Am I right?"

  Odeon nodded, reluctantly. "I've been trying to avoid thinking aboutthat, but . . . yes, you're right. With Keith the Protector now, heprobably won't be helping her the way I did--she probably won't need ahelper any more, if he gives her the gifts the Herald was promised--andI didn't really like the work, but it was the only productive thing Iwas doing. Betrayal, uselessness--and I'm damn close to losing all myfaith."

  Which sounded like it was tearing him apart, Medart thought. A lot ofpeople, even a few Rangers, needed a religious faith to feel complete;it wouldn't be a violation of the separation doctrine to try and helphim regain his. "Don't give up till you read the Traditional church'sBible and teachings, Mike. They might be just what you need."

  "I hope so." Odeon hesitated, then decided to go on; as a policeofficer, he knew that having all the facts was essential to reaching agood decision, and he wanted the best Medart could manage. "The nightI was Sealed to the Protector--Joanie then, of course--Jeshua appearedto me in a vision. One of the things he told me was that I'd be testedby pain and loss great enough I'd be seriously tempted to reject him.I thought earlier that Shayan torturing me was that, but I was wrong.This is, and I hate it. It's a horrible feeling."

  "I can tell," Medart said sympathetically. "Hang on; let me have thatmaterial brought down right away instead of waiting till morning." Hetouched his throat, gave the necessary orders. "Okay, they'll be herein half an hour or so. Unfortunately, we don't have any TraditionalCatholics aboard, or I'd have asked one to come down and talk to you."

  "The Bible and outline should be enough, if it's going to work at all.I have a funny feeling I'm going to be up all night reading and praying. . . Would you mind if we get back to the main subject?"

  "Sure. I can't do much else about your feeling of betrayal, but I'mhoping to get rid of the useless feeling for you." Medart paused,smiled. "Even if you decide against the job I want you to take, ifthose feelings are strong enough that you feel you have to leave theSystems, all you need to do is claim your Imperial citizenship, thenexercise your option to change your world of residence once at Imperialexpense--in this case, aboard my ship."

  "They're strong enough," Odeon said, "but I've still got a Family Ilove and responsibilities I can't just run away from. I'll claimcitizenship, yes--the other, not unless you can persuade me the Empirehas more of a claim on me than my Family and the Archduchy of HighTeton do."

  "I think I can manage that. Welcome to the Empire, Mike--I thinkyou're the first Systems person to take that step officially. Nowwhat's this about being Joan's heir, and an Archduchy? I don'tremember anything about you being part of the nobility."

  "What?" Odeon frowned, thinking back over the past three weeks. "Youknow, I don't think the subject ever came up. Joanie's Archduchess ofHigh Teton, and she named me her heir, which makes me a Duke. Localnobility only, of course."

  "Of course," Medart agreed, pleased that Odeon was showing even thattiny trace of humor. "Shall I start calling you 'Excellency'?"

  "I don't feel much like an Excellency at the moment. Just stick withMike, please."

  He'd better slow down, Medart told himself. Mike was good, but hewasn't Ranger-level yet, and if Medart screwed up, he never would be."Sorry; I was just trying to lighten things up a bit. If you decide totake the job, you won't be able to inherit. Is the succession set up?"

  Odeon nodded. "If anything happens to me, Sis' baby would inherit,with her acting for him until he's of age."

  "Good. No extra arrangements to make if you accept, then. Okay, Mike,let me talk you through working out what job I want you to take; youdon't have the background to accept it if I just come out and ask."

  "I asked for your professional help; we do it your way. I think I'mstarting to see where you're going, though."

  "I hope so; that'll make it easier for both of us. I know you've readabout recent Imperial history, so you're aware of our losses during theTraiti war and the White Order rebellion."

  "Uh-huh--specifically the four Rangers, if I'm reading you right."

  "You are. I was incredibly fortunate to find Ranger Losinj during therebellion, but we're critically short even when we have the average often, and right now we're down to seven."

  "You want me to be number eight, I'd say. We both know I don't haveeven the widely-known qualifications, and I can't believe you'dconsider for a second lowering the standards, so--" Odeon broke off."Who's supposed to make the changes? If it's Shayan, forget it!"

  "He told me about it, but it's the Protector who'll make youRanger-level, if you agree to the changes. Including the mind-set wehave to have, but again, only if you agree."

  "That's a tremendous offer, Jim, and I can't deny it'd be a useful andsatisfying job--but I can't give you an answer just yet. First I'vegot to work out my spiritual problem, and decide whether or not I'd bewilling to leave my family even for something like that."

  "I can't do anything for you about the first, but maybe I can ease yourconcern about the latter a bit. The one who mind-visited me said hegave Family Cortin some of the same information he gave me; did thatinclude anything about an upcoming invasion I'm not going to be allowedto warn the Empire about?"

  "He didn't mention that part, but yeah, a super-nasty one. Why?"

  Medart chuckled. "You don't need me to answer that; you can do it fory
ourself, but I'll give you a hint if you want."

  Odeon thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Don't bother. It'spretty clear that someone who can command fleets would have a lot moreeffect against invaders than a Strike Force officer who's been orderedoff active duty. Which means I could do more for the people I love byleaving them than I could by staying with them." He paused, then shookhis head. "And that hurts too--especially since one of the publicthings is that Rangers don't have any close personal ties, so if I takethe job, I won't even love them any more. Will I?"

  Medart hesitated, but he couldn't either lie or refuse to answer. "No,you won't. That's an emotion I've never had, other than maybe for theEmpire as a whole. Liking and respect for individuals, yes--love, no."

  "And I won't miss it. I think that may be the worst." Odeon sighed."But you hit me in my vulnerable spot, Jim, and I think you know it.I've spent my entire adult life doing my damndest to protect and helppeople; if I can get past my spiritual problem, I'm going to have toaccept the job."

  "If it's any consolation, none of us asked for the job, or particularlywanted it--my own plans were to go through the Academy, have a Navalcareer, and then retire to Herbert's World with a cattle ranch. Everyone of us, Corina included, took it on out of a sense of obligation."