by K R Sanford
“Every species has their limit,” replied Commander Ryan.
“How about it, Governor; we all saw this coming,” said Marco.
“Yes,” replied Governor Grantham. “It was inevitable. And, these corporate men know this. They expect it. So, what else do they have planned for us?”
Marco snapped his head toward Grantham. “Governor; that was the second time you asked that question.”
“I guess it was,” replied Grantham.
Marco eyed the governor. “If you know something, Governor, please let us in on it. Does the General know who might win this match?”
“What do you think, Vito: will the Marillian tear the arms off the mercenary?” said General Hodges.
“They are starting,” said Vito.
“Do the Marillians know how to fight?” asked the General turning to Grantham.
“Some do, General. Some are very competitive,” replied the Governor.
“I have yet to see a Marillian at the tables, Governor,” said Vito. “Why is that, do you suppose, Governor?”
Grantham calculated the tone in Vito’s voice. He replied. “Because you are a conniving son of a bitch and they don’t trust you as far as they can piss.”
Vito thought and replied, “I deserved that, Grantham. But you don’t have to speak to me like that in public.”
“What’s the matter,” replied Grantham. “Don’t you like the company?”
Vito looked around at the eyes and the faces watching him. His eyes settled over Grantham’s shoulder at the King and Queen. They looked on with noble expectation in their gaze. General Hodges, seated in front of him with Colonel Stiller listened. Marco, Commander Majors and Hector were waiting for a demonstration of his leadership. Vito's next words will define him before the heads of Ameda. All eyes were watching and waiting for his next move.
Vito got up from his seat, choosing not to defile himself any further with his tongue. He bowed at the waist in homage. He bowed first to Grantham then to the King and Queen. He turned and bowed to the starship captains then to his own People of the View, after which he sat down. He wrestled to watch the announcement of the first match.
“Ladies and Gents: Your attention pleeease!” Chertog was holding up his hands in the center of the ring waiting for the crowd to settle. “The judges have finished checking the fighters. The usual preparations are complete. This is a ten round bout. The last fighter standing is the winner. There will be no count. To my left in red has weighed in at three hundred-fifty ponds. He is standing at seven feet-eight inches, the Marillian, Blackie. And to my right in black; weighing three hundred–ninety pounds stands at seven foot–nine. The Earthman is Eddie the Destroyer. At the sound of the bell both fighters will come out fighting.”
The bell rang. “I can’t see what’s going on,” said Elsinor.
“They’re circling each other, dear,” said Devin.
“Why do they do that?” she asked.
“They try to flush out a weakness, dear. They can create intimidation and throw the other off balance as well.”
“I thought so,” said Elsinor.
Captain Clairy and Chris Thacher made their way onto the bleachers. They were ushered to a seat next to the King and Queen. “You haven’t missed anything,” said Devin. “They’ve just only started.”
Queen Elsinor spoke. “Devin, have you met Chris Thacher?
Devin held up a hand fixated with the fighters reeling in the ring. At that instant Eddie the Destroyer charged into Blackie. Blackie spun around out of Eddie’s grasp. Using the momentum of the spin, he swung a right hook into Eddie’s right eye. Blackie swung a left punch through Eddie’s head. Eddie fell sideways, his face covered in blood. Someone threw a cloth at Eddie. He wrapped it around his head.
“Pleased to meet you, Chris,” said Devin, turning back to the fight.
Blackie charged with a kick to Eddie’s side. Eddie rolled on the ground. Blackie missed his kick. Eddie got to his knees. Blackie met him with a second kick to the throat. The kick sliced Eddie’s neck, cutting the jugular in half. He was gasping for air and drowning in his own blood. Blackie was sniffing at the air searching for a counter attack from the crowd. Eddie dropped onto the ground. The gasping stopped. Eddie lay dead in the dirt. Blackie growled like a bear. His eyes flamed red. The Marillians surrounded him and shuffled him off to the carriage house at the end of the game field.
Shock was on Chris’s face. She sat back in her seat calculating what might happen next.
King Devin sat up in his chair and turned toward General Hodges. “The question is going to be, General. Will the Earthmen see this as a public display of justice or will they react in retaliation.”
Vito, eager to respond, spoke before the general could answer. “There’s no need to retaliate over a labor dispute.”
That’s right, Mr. Tarasco,” said the Governor. “If the corporations do not honor their contracts then late penalties must get paid. General, it’s your responsible to collect the past due credits. And to make sure safe working conditions stand up to regulations.”
“The corporations have been dodging me too,” replied the General. “What do you want me to do?”
“I’ll tell you what you are going to do. You—
General Hodges turned furious. “Okay, you tell me what to do. And you can also see to it that the work gets finished. And, see that the right materials get delivered on site. And, the working conditions get corrected on time as contracted. And, while you’re at it Governor, you can tell the corporations to hold their production. We can make sure your complaints get met the way you want. And by the way, the finish contractor tells me, we are still waiting for the slime green color you ordered for your bathrooms.”
“General, it is lime cream. It’s a very nice color.” A welcome moment of silence lapsed then Grantham continued. “I have no doubt this wild way of doing business is very profitable for the corporations. The arms dealers are equipping weapons for agents who cover-up illegal transactions.
This side-business of armament is big business throughout the Middle Corridor. It needs to get managed General.” Grantham stood and bowed to the General. He turned to the King and said, “Devin, thank you for your patience.” He turned and walked off the bleachers stepping onto the game field.
Vito spoke, pointing to the end of the game field. “He’s headed toward the carriage house, no doubt to congratulate Blackie on his victory.”
“And I am sure, rejoined Hodges, “he will insure his safety in the event there are reprisals. He killed the champion of the corporation.”
“Is that why you’re getting out of the business, General?” said Hector.
“Aw, Hector, yes. It’s the major reason,” replied Hodges. “The perspective I hear, echoes in this star system. It wins my heart and my attention. It’s the qualia I recognize compared to the quantity of unconnected experiences. I am won over by this refreshing use of intelligence.”
“Sure,” replied Hector. “Around here we call that value. Being able to control ourselves through the variations of sensations is empowering. For us, this means to live within ones means and still take on a challenge. I am reminded of the seeker who finds finer quality of life for others as well.”
“Explain if you will,” said Chris. “How you can all sit here and watch the Earthman get beaten to death. And, so far no one has said a word about it. Where are the qualia in that?”
“This is perspective,” answered Marco. “Don’t own the experience and you won’t be prisoner of it. This is why you won’t see anyone react to the corporation’s dead man. The corporations do not have authority to use emotions to control this star system. We hold the reins of power here in Ameda, real and imagined. It’s what is not imagined that is the real qualia here today. We reflect past experience of injustice. We bring injustice forward to the present. Now, we best serve that qualia by leaving that body lay there dead in the dirt. The corporations will have to come and pick up their loss and honor the
remains in their own way. We don’t gawk over the dead body and we don’t make judgments because in so doing we change this reality. It’s the ‘Observer Effect’, so we cannot interfere or react. The intention is to make the point of the event very clear.”
Chris looked to the combat field. She observed the earthmen levitating Eddie the Destroyer. Workmen glided his body onto an awaiting shuttle. The sides of the shuttle displayed the big gold lettering of ‘Triumph Industries’. “Yes, I am familiar with the ‘Observer Effect’,” she said. “Thank you, Marco, for the explanation.”
Marco turned forward in his seat. He gazed out at the combat field and watched as the next event assembled. “Let’s get ourselves some ale, I found myself a thirst.”
“Sounds good to me,” replied Hector.
“Yeah, I’ll tag along, said Ryan.
“Elsie and I are going back over to the game field to watch the jousting. Come with us and try the ale from our outdoor pub,” said Devin.
Marco invited the others to join the change of venue.
Devin rejoined, “The trip to the jousting match is a matter of climbing the steps to the walkway. Then over to the bleachers on the other side,” he said. “On the ends of the bleachers you will find the vendors. The vendors can sell you a hat or shirts. If you are hungry, they have venison on a stick, bread bowl soup, and my favorite, the best Vallian ale you ever tasted. Maybe it’s just me only everything seems to taste better during festival. One places an order, and someone will bring it to you.”
Hector smiled. “It’s the fresh wholesome goodness and the clean mountain air that makes it all taste so good.”
“Not to mention the gold rays of sunshine,” replied Devin.
“Right,” said Elsinor laughing, “Fortified with nutrients and minerals to make a body grow long and strong.”
“Hey now, Elsie,” said Devin whispering in her ear.
“This is a good band you have here, Devin,” rejoined Marco.
“These guys were on their way to the Island Planet to play for the hotels,” replied Devin.
“We’re lucky then,” said Hector.
“So are they,” said Devin.
“Right, they can get Vito’s protection here and a military escort back, everybody’s here,” replied Marco.
Who’s jousting first?” asked Hector.
“This may surprise you, Hector.” replied Devin. “It’s Captain Walters against the Vallian, Simiquin.”
“Why does that name sound familiar?” asked Marco.
“Simiquin is Gonquin’s nephew,” replied Devin. “Simiquin has aspired from his youth to compete as a knight.”
“Let’s hope Captain Walters knows what he is doing,” said Colonel Stiller.
Hector nodded in agreement. “From his youth, you say?”
“Oh yeah,” said Devin. “Ambition of knighthood goes back tens of thousands of years. Let me ask you something, Hector. What did you want to be when you were growing up?”
“I can answer that,” replied Hector. “I remember well. Once when I was walking home from school with a couple of the older boys; one boy in particular was cussing. He was cussing like a drunken sailor. You know, shit this and damn that. He said he had to put up with this bitch ass teacher. She almost made him go crazy, he said. He had to keep a look-out for her until three o’clock in the afternoon. He said the woman would fart right next to him in class. He was trying to do his school work then she would do that. She scurried off straight legged to the other side of the room. He guessed, so no one would blame her for the smell.
Then, the guy went on cussing and complaining because the playground equipment was all fucked up. The rules were all a bunch of crap. I couldn’t help myself. I laughed so hard I couldn’t see straight. Hell, I couldn’t catch my breath long enough to talk. All I wanted to do was stop laughing so I could practice swearing like him. But, funny thing was, as soon as I tried to cuss; I would go right back laughing. I laughed so mush I couldn’t practice cussing until I got home. Then when I did start to cuss my mom caught me and washed my mouth out with soap.”
“That’s fucked up,” said Vito.
“Yeah,” said Hector. “That’s what saying, shit damn right.”
Devin smiling shook his head. “Hector, you poor thing, you need to find yourself a girl and get domesticated.”
The crowd on the other bleachers erupted in cheers.
“Well, thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you for the advice.” Hector stood with a sour look on his face. He swaggered down the steps to the grass walkway. He blended himself into the line of passers-byes like a ghost.
“Your grounds keeper did a nice job grading the track,” said Vito.
“That was Michel and his son Matt,” replied Devin. “Do you know the track, Vito?”
“Oh, a little,” said Vito. “Horse racing is a complex spectacle game. I have to use advisors if I'm to take a bet. Are you looking for some action, Your Majesty?”
“Tildanfin takes the action around here,” replied Devin. “He’ll scribble what you want to do in a ledger and settle with you at the end of the race, if you win of course.”
“Right,” said Vito. “Let me ask you something, Devin. What do you think of this qualia concept?
Devin threw up his hands. “This qualia phenomenon is a concept that can give a false sense of empowerment. It plays into an observer’s personal, and I will go so far as saying, undisciplined frame of thinking. The observer can determine an outcome result that suits their personal agenda.
They are assuming a result is true without empirical testing. They are trying to develop a science to prove whatever they what you to believe. This is ludicrous but folk want to take short cuts all the time.
Others are trying to legitimize qualia as a theory for everything. The problem I see with it is the ability to measure an event. And, second, the ability to qualify the motivation of the observer.
What we are seeing is a pseudo-science fanaticism that certain folk want to turn into a movement. They can capitalize and lead a market for their own personal gain.
Like I say, Vito, this qualia business is a general concept. It's one more tool in manipulating the simple minded.”
“You’re not a fan, Devin, I get that” said Vito. “So, why did you allow Marco to go on about qualia with Chris?”
“Vito,” replied Devin. “I’m going to tell you something. Marco is not malicious. He uses the term for instruction and for leading Chris to an understanding of solidarity. There was a need for instruction and Marco used it very well.”
“Yes, I agree,” said Vito. “I’m finding, like the General, a refreshing use of intelligence here in your realm. “
“No, no, Vito,” replied Devin. “It’s not the realm of Shrine Lake. Ameda has many powerful influences, starting with the Emperor. The Amedans are a race of beings whose superiority you and I can only envision. We Vallians are a grateful remnant of Earth. We are grateful to the Amedans who brought us here. We are grateful to the Earthmen as well. And, I know one day you will learn to solve your differences.”
“I don’t make a living solving differences,” said Vito. “I learn to capitalize on the differences.”
“You are a smart man, Vito,” replied Devin. “You will do well where ever you call home. Is the Mastodon going to be your new home?”
The band blew the starting trumpet. The contestants positioned their mounts on either end of the arena. The knights raised their visors and held their lances up right in deference to the King. Both knights waited for the King’s call to charge. Devin signaled for the herald to announce the contestants.
The announcer stepped out from the band in a red coat and a shiny black top hat. It made him look like the business agent for the Royal Guard. He waited for the crowd to quiet then announced.
“The red plumed armor of Simiquin hails from the province of the Quin Mountains. The Interstellar Forces with black armor and white star is, Captain Jim Walters.”
Both knights
lowered their visors.
A Vallian hunter held a flag with the King’s coat-of-arm. The Vallian stretched the flag horizontal over the runway. King Devin nodded and the Vallian lifted the flag upright. The knights spurred their horses. They charged down the runway at a full gallop. Simiquin dropped his lance straight out front in perfect form. Captain Walters slipped off balance and was struggling to work the lance in the cradle. Simiquin’s lance glanced off Captain Walters’ chest. It shattered the tip of the lance. Captain Walters’ lance went wild at the last second. It struck the top of Simiquin’s helmet, hurling red feathers into the air. The crowd was aghast at the sight of the two Knights charging each other at full gallop. Then to watch as they passed each other unscathed, whole and intact. It was as if the crowd got picked up in terror then dropped into lukewarm water.
“Round one and one point goes to Simiquin,” said the announcer in a voice of boredom.
“That was exciting,” said Elsinor.
“I’ve seen worse,” said Devin.
“Something is happening at the Shrine,” said Lady Lucia.
“I didn’t see you two leave. Did you find the vendor?” said Devin.
“Yes,” replied Marco. “I worried about Hector. He didn’t tell you the other half of the story.”
“Oh,” said Devin.
“I’ve known Hector for a long time,” replied Marco. "I’ve heard the story before. It’s a good story.”
“Okay,” said Devin.
“It’s worth the wait,” replied Marco. “He’ll tell you. He respects you.”
“Yes, I know,” said Devin. “You said something about activity at the Shrine?”
“Right,” replied Marco. “Two Vallians at the snack shack saw a group of Amedans bussing around the rotunda.”
“Who was the source?”
“Napgath the fisher and his two sons,” said Marco.
Devin smiled. “Well, this is interesting. The Amedans are getting ready to escort the Emperor. And, you’re telling me, a father and his two sons look sober. Is your security in place?”
“Yes,” replied Marco. “We’re working with Vito’s people and Colonel Stiller’s Elite Guard.”