by Pam Uphoff
The girl brightened, and her eyes unfocused a bit as she started making mental plans.
Xiat hid a smile. Put the girl to work. Attaboy, Colonial.
***
Izzo strolled with Xiat through the grounds. "Forty acres. Mostly woods in the back, but fenced. Some former Director was an equestrian. I thought you might like a horse. It's a bit early for me to start going overboard with ponies for the kids, isn't it?"
Xiat snickered, and led the way into the barn. "Eight stalls, tack room, feed room. Perfect for us. I'll buy you a horse too, Colonial. As long as I've known you, I've never seen you on a horse."
"Umm, the critters they have on Homestead are a bit closer to the original wild stock than what you're used to. I can ride, and drive. But horses were working animals there, not pets."
"Tsk! I'll have to fix that misapprehension."
Chapter Ten
23 April, 3523 ce
Serene, Granite Peak
Jack hated politicians, but right now he rather thought he could use this one to his advantage.
Joyce Hall. An old lady with a grudge. Rehashing the last gubernatorial election. Again. “There’s no way he got seventy percent. No. Way. But what the hell can I prove? Electronic voting with no way to recount? No way to verify how many people really voted? I mean, all the outlying farmers are his constituents.”
Jack nodded. “The roads we have? We’re to believe all his people drove hundreds of kilometers to vote? And then turned around and drove back for more hours over potholed roads so they could feed their livestock?”
“Exactly!” She tossed her gray hair. And leaned toward him. “So . . . why are you here talking to me?”
“Between Earth and the One World . . . it hardly matters who wins. Neither of them will get us legal access to things like the Comet Fall life extension therapy.”
She recoiled. “That’s genetic engineering!”
“Yeah. We’re brainwashed into that automatic rejection. Because they don’t want us to live forever. Tweak a few genes to improve telomere repair? Fire up the mitochondria?” He ran a hand over the stubble on his scalp. “Get rid of the grey, cure baldness. What the hell, change hair color.”
He sat back and crossed his arms. “What’s so ‘Evil’ about actual changes to things like cancer risk genes?”
She lowered her brows and glared at him.
“A blanket ban on any and all genetic engineering is insane.”
“And how the hell do we change that?”
“We declare independence and cut the gate to Earth.”
“Leaving us at the mercy of the Oners?”
“I’m going to go talk to them tomorrow. Think about it. An independent world, trading through Embassy for those few things we still can’t make ourselves . . . yet.”
“And what about Disco?”
“They have to follow the laws they’ve made for themselves. They won’t allow either Earth or One to invade us. Won’t open permanent gates without our approval.”
“I . . . see. You don’t think they’re going to . . . remove us . . . Hmm, a hundred thousand of us and four times as many Oners? They’ll have to invade themselves . . . run us down and drag screaming and crying women and children across their precious plaza and force us through the gate to Earth?” She leaned back, a thin smile spreading. “And if we had a scattering of genetic engineering, Earth would probably just toss the lot of us back out.”
Jack smiled back. “And since Disco has barely a hundred employees, including secretaries and scientists . . .”
“There’s not one damned thing they can actually do.” She eyed him. “Come talk to me again, when you get back from meeting the Oners. If you survive.”
***
Jack eyed Governor Arry Withione Granite Peak. Tall, like the majority of Oners, and showing his age. Which was probably a century more than the sixty years he looked, to a man used to normal humans.
“Governor Arry.” Jack gave him a minimal nod.
“Mister Hemmingway.” The governor sounded like he was talking to an unsatisfactory underling. Looked him up and down. Turned his gaze toward Arrow as she walked up.
“This is Sister Arrow Albdaut of the Black Island Pyramid. Arrow, the governor of this part of Granite Peak.”
“Governor, a pleasure to meet you.” Arrow was wearing a very businesslike pants suit, her hair professionally cut, a bare touch of makeup. “So, I understand you want some gates closed?”
“Yes. And you’re going to do it for us.”
“And you’re going to pay me, and then I walk away free. In fact, I understand you want it done a few days before the summer solstice, so I’ll remain in Earth Territory until time to carry out the job.”
“Do you really think a young woman like yourself can order me around?”
“I’m not ordering you. I’m just making the terms of my employment clear. Now let’s talk about . . .” she waved a hand and the men rushing up behind them collapsed, “ . . . costs. And details. I understand that you want me to close the two gates in Serene City and two hours later, one in Cough Town? And stand by . . .”
A wave and a tree dropped across the path of the approaching vehicle.
“And stand by to close another? How are you planning on having me travel? With these short time constraints, perhaps a corridor would be a good idea?” She pulled out four pebbles. “They are labeled TL for top left and so forth. When you need me, just stick them up on a wall anywhere, far apart enough for a large vehicle. The other end is currently out beyond the Earthers’ farms. I’ll move it closer in as the date approaches.”
The Governor scowled, his eyes unfocused for a moment. A faint rustle from the forest. Two riflemen, with long guns pointed down, heading for the governor’s vehicles.
Guess he finally figured out he couldn’t capture Arrow.
Jack cleared his throat. “It has occurred to me that laying in a good supply of food and ammunition might be wise, in case of either an assault or marooning. There’s a limit to what I can store without raising questions.”
The Governor turned and summoned Amac with a brusque wave. “Why don’t you two coordinate supplies of food, ammunition, and equipment. We’ve got months to stockpile everything we could possibly need.”
“Right.” Jack eyed Amac. “Am I correct in assuming you’ve built some sort of fortifications south of here?”
Amac sniffed. “Only fortified against small arms, but it’ll keep our stores safe.” He frowned over at Governor Arry. “I’m getting queries about the size of the ammo orders. We’ve tested the Earthers’ ammo, there are two calibers our weapons can take. Getting Hemmingway to buy it will work.”
Arry nodded, frowned back at Jack. “I understand you approached a politician about our plan?”
“Actually, I presented it as my idea, and wondered if she wanted in. I said I was going to approach the Oners about it. At which point she said to talk to her if I survived. I think there won’t be any resistance from my side.” Jack smiled. “Especially if those Natives raided a few farms.”
He looked over at grinning Amac. “I figure, steal some livestock—run them off a few kilometers. Maybe keep some of the best. How about you guys? Do you need to whip up a little more backing?”
Arry glared from Jack to Amac. “Very limited raids. Three raids each, spread them out. It won’t take much to change people’s minds.”
Jack grinned at Amac. “So . . . shall we raid our own or each other’s?”
Amac grinned back. “Our own. I know some people who need to be raided.”
The governor eyed him. “We’ll talk. Later.”
Jack’s gut twisted. Why am I doing this? Am I crazy?
Arry swung back to Arrow. “Half a million to take down each gate. We won’t need to make a gate, Disco will be back soon enough. And we just need to be in control by then.”
Arrow nodded. “Deal. I suspect I’ll ride along whenever Jack’s delivering supplies, so if there’s a change of p
lan, we can discuss it then.”
Arry’s eyes narrowed. “You could stay with us.”
Arrow glanced out at the stunned men, most of them now sitting on the ground clutching their heads. “I think not. A pleasure meeting you, Governor.” She walked away.
Jack nodded to the governor, and eyed Amac. “I’ll come back next week to talk about what supplies which of us is going to bring to the party.”
He walked back to the gyp, skin crawling as he turned his back on the enemy. He’d parked facing back at his path, in case they needed to leave in a hurry. Arrow was watching, standing beside the gyp. She didn’t stir until he was in the driver’s seat, then she hopped in and he forced himself to drive smoothly away, and not gun it.
Arrow sighed. “Do you know, I thought I might like them, might fit into their society. But they all have some deep . . . belonging to each other. Like a Witch’s Pyramid. They were very alien to me, and untrustworthy. Watch your back, Jack.”
He nodded. “Yes.”
Chapter Eleven
4 Rajab 1408 yp
Gate City, One World
Izzo didn’t bother with the theatrics of looking at the agenda. He’d written it, after all. “The governors of ten Colonies have filed repeated complaints about the backlogged court system. All of them except Granite Peak, which is a problem all its own.
“The Research Department wants me to send out my best agents to find examples of Comet Fall potions. The Action and Exploration Department is ready and eager to do so, but they have such a bad reputation on Comet Fall, Ajki was reluctant to send them. Intel has whined about how embarrassing it is to have all its agents in the Kingdom of the West found within days.”
"And that's where the organized magicians are," Omsi Withione explained.
"We won't make the kind of mistakes we did before." Ebko Withione nodded decisively. "We'll infiltrate quietly . . . "
"A village of three hundred? Where everyone knows everyone? And most of them are highly magical?" Izzo studied the man. Had he kept those troublesome genes? "Do you have anyone who is completely non-threatening?"
The man glared. "We can't just walk up and ask for samples."
"No, and that's why we need some info team successes first."
Subdirector Wrla of Research drummed his fingers. "Actually, I've found Q quite approachable. A business approach, requesting samples of things they might like to export would probably not be considered blatant spying. They . . . are very odd people."
Ebko bristled.
"Thank you, gentlemen. I will consider how to best get the information we want. Now, back to these backlogged courts. We need two things. More judges, and more courtrooms on the Colony worlds. I will start looking into getting the judges, each of you start looking for local public buildings where we could set up temporary courts and see about clearing the backlogs without requiring excessive travel of large numbers of plaintiffs, defendants, witnesses and lawyers and all the clerks that go with it. Think in terms of reducing the backlog to cases three months old inside of a year, and work up some preliminary plans. Get them to me in a month. Eiffel, the local authorities on Homestead were working toward changing their laws to match ours. How is that coming?"
"Not well. The idea of Oners being exempt from some laws is not well received."
"I dare say. How many of the Native Court Judges are One educated and licensed?"
"Probably better than sixty percent, and climbing, but surely you aren't going to let them judge Oners!"
"Why not? It's a matter of law, not a magic contest."
"But everyone knows a Oner could influence a Native judge."
"Does everyone know the penalty for using magic on a presiding judge?"
They were all looking at him uneasily now. A mutter of "gone Native" from somewhere down the table drew a faint smile.
"The Rule of Law is such a bitch when everyone has to follow the same rules. Eiffel, I'd like a recommendation on how to merge the Native Courts and the One Courts on Homestead, and for nominations of Native Judges to have their appointments reconfirmed by the One for the regional Imperial Courts."
Eiffel was looking at him like he'd turned into a skunk.
"Oh, and the two law enforcement agencies as well. Absurd on a civilized world. Merge them. If you don’t have the right sort of staff, I can tap some." He switched his attention to the next man on his list.
"Wgli, I noticed that the Colonial Oners on Granite Peak don't have a registry office on their world. Nor a college. Which is a problem right now as they are all staying home to emphasize the large population of Oners there. We need to balance our thinking, treating them like every other colony, while not sinking too much money into it, in case we're tossed out. A Registry office should be quick and easy.
“Concentrate on locating and registering halfers to plump up the population numbers and show how well we're integrating the Nomads into our society. Think about dedicating a University, set land aside, and perhaps dedicate the royalties from that new mining area for its funding. You might even go so far as to bring in some portable classrooms and traveling lecturers for the current year."
Wgli bit his lip. "Yes, no need to put everything on hold for the year. But is the Registry office something they need?"
"Well, that rather depends. Let's face it, Comet Fall is biased against us and it is the core of Disco. If we lose the case will the Colonists pack up and move? Or are they going to stay, no matter whose government is legally in charge? Think about what equipment our people will need, if they are cut off, partially or wholly from us."
Wgli blinked at him, trying to hide astonishment. He managed a nod.
"Wrla, I need an overview of terraforming research on Algae Worlds. A quick search through the system didn't turn up much. If you haven't got a live person in charge of that, get one and send him to me."
Wrla looked offended. "That's a bit low for us, we're mostly Physics and Native Magic."
"So, hire a botanist. Or I could pull it and run it as a Director's project."
Wrla looked indignant. "No, no. I have people who do world biota surveys of every world we discover. We just don’t focus on algae. I'll assign someone to this . . . project."
Izzo smiled. "Right. That's everything on the agenda. Anyone have any last minute problems they want to bring up? Very well, thank you gentlemen."
Unfortunately he was not heading home. His secretary Kiel had managed three appointments in a reasonably spaced time. The One first. Davi drove him through Corridors as far as Dimashq. There, he boarded the train. Settled back and read, trying to ignore the people crowding around him.
I've gotten spoiled awfully quickly. Used to commute stuffed in the tram like a canned sardine twice a day.
He kept his shield up hard until they were a hundred kilometers away, then softened it. Everyone around was quiet and contemplative, the Presence ahead overwhelmed and pushed their thoughts to the side. It absorbed his thoughts, and he drifted a bit, thinking about his upbringing, his life on Homestead, his identity with the people, however different his looks. What would those industrious busy people be like, if they too could commune with the One? If they had all the techniques of the Oners, the magic. True too of the Multitude here, and the Natives of the other three Colonies with indigenous people.
Then he thought of the tangled difficulties and expense of shipping everything through the One World. The frustrations. The traffic jams at the gate complex. Direct trade would work so well, especially between Colony worlds. Loss of transport taxes would be offset by increased efficiency in the economy.
In Makkah everyone got off the train. Some strode off for a destination. Izzo was one of the ones who wandered aimlessly through courtyards, stopping here and there to admire a fountain. He ate at an outdoor grill, and wandered back to the train station in time to catch the last northbound train of the day.
He slept, woke clear headed and alone inside his skull. He caught the eye of the woman sitting across from hi
m, and smiled faintly. "I do hope I wasn't snoring."
Her eyes crinkled. "No, Director, you just drooled."
"Err . . ."
"You may call me Guir. I am of the One and I will accompany you to speak for the One to the Council and President. The One wishes our opinion known." Her sharp eyes studied him. "Between you, Usse, and Ajha, the One has changed."
"I am sure the two Philosophers had the greater impact."
She chuckled. "You must send us a sample of this Elixir of Long Life the Fallen have made. We need to study the effects. We are uncertain whether elements of the One living for thousands of years would be advantageous, or would make us less adaptable, more locked onto outmoded ways of thought. The neutering of Priest Candidates, once thought necessary, is under consideration. Bring us also samples of these herbs you were given."
He bowed. "I will."
"I wonder what else you will do? You are a most interesting experiment."
My father's panicked attempts to keep my early blooming magic under control, and not bring me to the notice of the authorities involved the herbs some of the T!klic use on livestock to temporarily suppress hormones, instead of castration. He shifted a bit uneasily. Did those herbs have the same enhancing effect as castration would have had on my priest gene? I never really thought about it.
"We suspect that is the situation, Director."
Izzo eyed her and tried to not think.
Their joint appearances before the Council, and again before the President were brief. Izzo handed over the physical petitions, and spoke of their provenance. One Guir said that the One recommended a limited experiment using Comet Fall genetic engineering, approved of direct trade between Colonies, and was not adverse to direct trade with outside entities, so long as the Empire's security was maintained.