Rachel, Tritchka, and I were startled when a voice out of the air said, "Acknowledged."
Rafe took on a more serious demeanor. "Words won't give you a reality on what we can do. You have to gradually realize it yourselves. This is what I propose. We are going to be inserting some bankers into Europe soon. You, Rachel, know that world very well. If you'll agree, we could benefit greatly from your knowledge and experience. You could come to our ship; advise those people, look at our Med Deck, and meet some heroes. While she's doing that, Tritchka, you can show M.Verdai around here. She'll decide what kind of protection you need."
Rachael and Tritchka looked at me inquiringly, I said, "We either are, or we aren't, going to do this. Personally I've decided to do it wholeheartedly. I've never dictated to either of you and will understand if you don't want to follow me on this one."
After looking at one another, Rachel and Tritchka burst out laughing. I was about to get angry. They saw that and hurriedly, in unison, assured me that they weren't going to miss a second, if they had to drink coffee day and night.
M.Verdai said, with a serious expression, "We sleep for a while every day, if we are free from other duties." She reached into a bag she'd brought to the table and said, "Rafe and I want each of you to have these communication devices. If ever you are in trouble, call, and the DO will do what's necessary, if Rafe or I don't answer. You can call from anywhere. The white button on the top will establish a privacy field where you won't be seen, or heard."
She handed one to each of us.
Rachel asked, "If my father had one of these, we could talk to each other?"
"Sure." Rafe said.
"Give him one!"
Rafe and M.Verdai looked at each other while a tension grew in the room. It was an unreasonable demand, but that was Rachel.
Finally Rafe said, "Look at the numbers on the front of your device. Push seven and your father will answer. Our people had to get him out of a meeting so he may be disturbed."
"Never with me." Rachel said, pushing the number.
A man's voice came out of the device saying, "Are you in trouble, Dear Rachel?"
"Father, it's you, you. I have so much to tell you." She rose and went off toward her office, her voice dwindling.
I said to Rafe, "That was a very, very considerate thing you did. She misses him so much. Her mother is dead. But you know that."
Rafe said, "Yes. Get the date of her mother's death for us, please. I'll tell you why later."
I said, "Why do I get the impression that later could be moments, or centuries?"
"Because you're a highly developed man, with connections to the spiritual planes?"
"Oh, do these places exist?"
"Way too long a story to cap this day off with. If you will excuse us we'll get some sleep. Good night, Tritchka."
We both said our good nights and they went off to their rooms.
I said to Tritchka, "You should have been there. It was like nothing we've ever experienced."
"So, tell me. I may be there the next time and then I will know what to do."
"Let me get my rifles. You will never believe me if you're not holding one while I talk." In the morning hours, she finally believed me.
The next morning over breakfast, Rafe said, "Could you make a list of who you presently think is having any influence in bringing about the War, North or South? We have some real estate to sell to them elsewhere."
So after Rafe departed with Rachel for a vessel called ARK IV, I went to my office to do him proper. Before I took pen to paper, I sent numerous telegrams from my personal key asking my people to help me compile an up to date list. I also sent one to the General in Washington to keep a bag packed. Then I sat at my desk, feeling as if a heavy load was gradually being lifted from my shoulders. My heavy pack would be split among many.
OPERATIONAL AREA - EAST OF SANTE FE NEW MEXICO - SEPT, 1854
CHAPTER FIVE
M.VERDAI DUNN BERGER, FIRST OFFICER ARK IV RANGER
With Pierre and Rafe (otherwise) occupied, I felt free to carry on with my plan. Tritchka and I walked to the crude elevator. I made a mental a note that a larger modern one would have to be installed. We got in the box and hauled on the ropes until we reached the plateau overlooking the Ranch. Such a peaceful looking place, on the surface, anyway. Tritchka had explained that an attack could come at any time bringing death and the end of the aspirations of any individual. That they would cease to be, and I would only be shortly inconvenienced, made their courage (ever so much) more than mine. We wandered around the fallow vegetable gardens. She showed me the eye and the hole for gold underneath it. Then we came to the pathway through which supplies were delivered to the hidden tribe of gold miners. It was all so anti-climatic with me and my first hand knowledge of centuries. We ended up on a backless bench that she'd made, by the cliff edge. The view was westward.
She said, "If I had rifles like Pierre, as he is known now, I could sit here and keep everyone safe."
We could see most of the Ranch buildings below us, and far out onto the countryside.
"When we get down, I will give you rifles like Pierre's for your own. But I will do one thing better for all of you. The rifles become heavy when one fires them all day. We have another long rifle which sits on a pole. It has four barrels and can fire many, many shells. We will set two of them up here tomorrow. I will have Rafe bring one directly to this spot, and one to a spot near the elevator. We will put Mortars here too. The time for fear here is gone. But, Rafe and I have a fear for another place far away where a big war will be fought. You can help us."
"I can?"
"Yes. Do you know Suzy?"
"Yes. Pierre and I visited her in Sante Fe and she was here once."
"If you took me to her, would she talk to me?"
"Sure. When?"
"Right now. I'll call my ship. We'll go right after I give you the rifles I promised. I'll give you a pistol belt, too. Then we can walk in Sante Fe unafraid."
"That would be nice for an Indian squaw to do, unafraid."
"Oh, Tritchka, you will walk so many places unafraid."
"Am ready."
I called ARK IV's DO and asked him to have my ship pushed out an airlock. I could control it directly after that. There was a lot of open area across the river, which could now be waded over. The ship would arrive shortly. I shifted on the bench and asked Tritchka to tell all she knew of Suzy.
"Not (know) much exactly, but she kills people Pierre want killed. Not sure how. When Pierre comes back from her, he is strange. I know Suzy is friend of Pierre. They plan many things. Suzy is old, young in body. They sleep together, but Pierre sleeps with many women. Have children with them. Tritchka can not. Had child once, die, long story."
My communicator clicked and I held up my hand stopping her. "Go."
"Your ship is free, FO."
"Thank you."
I pointed the device toward the place across the river where I wanted it to land and pushed a button. When I heard two beeps I knew it had a lock. I hadn't expressed any desire for speed so it would be there in a half hour, instead of five minutes. I thought of another way to 'turn the screws', a delightful phrase I ran across in a book of Rafe's.
Making a mental note to have her examined medically, I said, "Tritchka, you know about the General in Washington DC Pierre talks to, don't you?"
"Yes, Pierre has schedule. They send many telegrams."
"It's Saturday. Where would he be?"
"Maybe home. Pierre has map and schedule. He will be riding. But I know where the schedules are."
"Let's look at them."
At the office, we discovered the General would be at his horse farm in Virginia this Saturday, while his family was away on a train trip to Boston, grandfather's illness, a telegram said. A plan formed in my mind. I'd intended to visit the Shaolin Temple in the mountains of China. Thelma had been there about forty years ago. Maybe they could tell me something about human singleness of purpose. Ther
e was a time long ago where I, if asked, would have said I was human. But I'd gone beyond my peers. My knowledge of purpose wouldn't work for humans any longer.
I asked Tritchka, "Anything you want to take along on our journey?"
"I'll get clothes and a blanket, two, winter comes, a coat, nice coat, from Pierre, years ago, and cooking bundle."
"You've no need for a cooking bundle, or blankets, but gather the rest and we'll go."
She left to fetch the items. I wrote a note: Pierre/ Rafe, off to stir the pot, back soon. M.
Waiting, I looked around the office, a man's place. Even smelled like men. But I'd seen Rachel's office, which looked like woman and smelled like her, faint lavender, new to me. On a whim, I went there and took a sprig for my synthesizer.
Tritchka, with a pack on her back, two revolvers of hers at her waist and a rifle slung over her shoulder, found me in the hallway.
I asked, "Ready?"
She nodded and I led the way to the river. The water didn't reach our boot tops. These people needed a series of dams, later. I took Tritchka's hand when we neared my ship so she would know where the gangplank started. Evidently Pierre had shared this with her too because she wasn't at all afraid. I told her to put her gear in any cabin as we went forward.
I still liked a window, in case someone destroyed the viewer pickups. I motioned toward the right seat.
"The straps will grip you on lift off. Don't be alarmed. We'll land outside Sante Fe, walk in, and collect Suzy and Aelone. Then go pick up the General in Virginia. After that we're off to China."
"Good trip. Maybe come back in two years?"
"Sooner than that. You'll see."
I sent a message through my personal channel, the one which had started my dual existence, to Suzy, more to test her than anything. Maybe I was wrong about her. We'd see.
I landed as close as I could get to the town proper and we got out. I'd given Tritchka an issue gun belt and showed her how to activate the personal shield. She'd be safe from anything on this planet now, except for the ANNU KI. They were there, on the edge of my awareness, watching, waiting, cold emotionless intention. I sent the ship up to 100 feet to wait.
We gathered a lot of stares from man and woman alike, but we didn't tarry so no one accosted us. I didn't concern myself, but we weren't here to burn a town down.
I was wrong about Suzy. They were standing inside the parlor, waiting with bags at their sides. I got a lot of impressions from her, which I would sort Suzy out later. The impression I got from Aelone was 'sharp knife waiting to slice.' Oddly, I knew her like a sister. I once was, as she is now. Sort out later.
Suzy said, "It has been ages since I got a 'message'. Let's go."
They both picked up their bags and we left. Outside, Suzy turned around her shop sign, "That's for the Sheriff, to say 'I'm out.' Nice man. He watches to see I'm safe, so I keep him safe."
I nodded and smiled bleakly; turn about was on every world I'd seen. I'd long since lost count of how many worlds. Again, we weren't stopped and were soon behind the grove where I called my ship down. I held out my arm for Suzy to grasp and Tritchka did the same for Aelone. They didn't hesitate or miss a step. The gangway closed behind us and they looked at me questioningly.
I walked forward, saying, "Come along. Any cabin is yours, except Tritchka's. Put your bags in and come further forward."
They did, not making any bother about their selections. When we were all in the control area, I said, "We are going to Washington DC to pick up another passenger. Then we're going to the Shaolin Temple to meet the head master." They blinked at that but recovered.
Suzy said, "I haven't been in DC for many years. Not since I was there with my husband, who was the trade representative from the Chinese government."
"We aren't going to be there long, but I'll fly over it slowly so you can see how it's changed."
"You are so considerate. We are going to be friends. Aeolin isn't anybody's friend, but I trained her that way, for which I make no apology."
"I understand. Pick a seat other than the front two. Straps will close about you for safety. I will fly high so you won't get dizzy."
It was a cloudy day so I turned on a wide screen display, by their seats, of the land below. Suzy started a running commentary which was interesting. By the time we made two circles over DC, and got to Virginia, I'd realized the potential of this country and understood better why Rafe, Thelma, Suzy, and Jason, didn't want it torn apart in a war over something easily remedied. I could quickly tick off in my head, ten scientific advancements which would erase the contention forever.
When we got to the General's horse farm, there were two life signs, one female in the house's kitchen, and one male walking in an orchard. On the display, I formed a circle around the one in the orchard and gave the command.
The General appeared in the left rear corner of the control room. I spun my couch around to him and said, "Sorry, I'm not one for long discussions, General. You know Tritchka, I think."
She stood and waved at him.
"Also you've no doubt had reports of Suzy and maybe Aeolin."
He collected himself, then seeing a couch nearby, sat on it. "I warned Jason he'd make too many waves someday. But won't I be missed? I'll lose my effectiveness if too much attention is brought to bear."
"No matter how long we're gone, I'll return you to a point in time, five minutes after I picked you up."
"Oh damn, he's done it for sure."
"Yes, you all have. You've tried to do something at great risk which needed doing. We've come to help. We are not long on patience, so bear that in mind. In your time with me, I expect you to come up with 500 names of pro war individuals. They'll be gone tomorrow, along with their children under eighteen. They won't be coming back. If you feel squeamish, keep one thing in mind. It was a six year war, one day of one battle saw over 50,000 dead. You think about that. Also realize that we can go to someone else. Then you might be number one on that person's list, but enough of that for the moment. We are now on our way to the main Shaolin Temple in China. We'll be going at a great speed, so we will arrive after Morning Blessings today, Saturday. This thing flies itself, so let's have some food. I didn't build in a formal dining room to sit around the control room; follow me."
I led them around a corner into a thirty by thirty dining room with a Mahogany table and chairs for twenty people. Right angle space was such a blessing.
I said, "Food selection is simple. You see something you like on the wall display, tap the picture; it appears on the ledge below the picture. There are trays in that corner."
I led the way. Seating myself moments later, I noticed they appeared like school children in a fancy restaurant. Not the General though. He had most of his mind on my ultimatum, or so I calculated.
He sat beside me and said, "We're in a different space from where we were, aren't we?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"I’m a Mason. We train ourselves to be conscious of different spaces."
"I've read of the Masons in the main ships library. Do you still use the building staffs, like you did in Egypt?"
He tried to hide his surprise, "No. That knowledge is lost."
"No, it isn't. There's one in a small museum on ARK IV. I'll show you someday. It still works, takes a delicate touch, though."
"That would be interesting to see. Why are we going to China?"
"We are engaged in a war which doesn't only lose lives. It loses planets and solar systems. Among other advantages, the enemy is very strong mentally. We hope to learn something of mental strength from the Shaolin Monks."
He mused, "Mental strength comes in many guises. Strength of spirit is what you want. Can that be learned?"
"That's what we want to know."
"The Masons try to do it by exposure to wider knowledge."
I commented, "We have knowledge, and it's true that it brings strength of spirit, but we must go far beyond that."
"There I can't help yo
u, sorry."
"Thank you anyway." We fell silent and concentrated on food. Later, I looked around and saw everyone was essentially done eating, so I said, "Time for the nickel tour; come along."
A half hour later, after many oohs and aahs, we were back in the dining room.
I said, "We'll be arriving in six hours and have a full day ahead of us. If you'd like to rest, please do. If not, feel free to roam further. If a door doesn't open, you shouldn't be behind it. Enjoy."
I went forward to the control room, sat, and kicked back, which brought the footrest up. It flashed across my mind, to sometime figure out how many decades I'd spent in this position. The General came and gestured questioningly at the right chair. I motioned that he could sit. He did and pushed the chair back like mine and twisted his body so he could see me. He had the thin, tall wiry body type, with short hair and clean shaven. His eyes were alive and constantly flickering about, trying to see it all.
He asked, "May I handle your sidearm? I'm not going to shoot you. I can read 50,000 on that dial. Is that feet of altitude?"
"Close to it. My home planet was similar in size to Earth; hence same size of body, hence, same foot size." I handed my right pistol to him. "You can't use it anyway. It's keyed only to me."
"I just want to hold it. It will tell me many tales. It tells me already, that it has the firepower of any present day Infantry Company with fifty soldiers."
"Actually, a bit more, but I made it special. The issues ones, like Tritchka has, are less powerful."
He smiled wryly, "I guess I get the issue ones?"
"No. We have a special issue for non uniformed personnel, a whole package of instruments, weapons, and communicators. Best thereof, is a body shield that nothing gets through."
He aimed the pistol here and there and gave it back to me. "I'll just rest here in this seat a while, if you don't mind. You'll have your list. I suppose I should twist Jason's neck over this, but it's my fault. I didn't shoot him when I had the chance. Ask him sometime."
With that, he tipped further back and his breathing became even and slow. I thought, once a trench soldier, always a trench soldier. I tipped further back, too. The ship would wake me.
Greener Green II: The Balls Brigade Page 8