The Temporal Void (ARC)

by Peter F. Hamilton

  As dawn broke, the constables took up position. News of the exclusion had spread in that lightning-fast way any novelty did in Makkathran, especially one concerning the Waterwalker. A lot of people turned up to see if it was actually going to happen. At some bridges they applauded when the constables appeared. Sandwiches and hot tea and coffee were produced and offered to the new guard squads. Then everyone settled down to see what the gangs would do.

  At midday, eight men walked across Golden Park. They were young and tough, knew how to handle themselves in a fight, and had a strong third hand. By the time they reached the district's southern point adjoining Birmingham Pool there were five ge-eagles orbiting high above them. Only two of which belonged to the constables.

  'Getting a real burst of nostalgia here,' Macsen sang out as Edeard's squad jogged along Macoun Street.

  'Nostalgia is a happy sensation,' Kanseen grunted. 'This isn't.'

  Edeard tended to agree with her. He glanced at Isoix's bakery as they sped past. 'You all right?' he asked Dinlay with a direct longtalk whisper.

  'Oh Lady, yeah.' Dinlay's thoughts were aflame with expectation. They'd spent the morning walking round the two districts on a random route, making themselves visible, knowing there would be a showdown at some time. It should have been a time of high excitement for Edeard, but he'd got another letter from Salrana; she'd been delayed again.

  He ran out of Macoun Street on to the broad sweep of the alameda. The weeping hasfol trees were just budding, a multitude of blue and yellow striped leaves expanding out of their whorls to greet the warmer skies. Right ahead of them was the blue and silver bridge which looped high over the waters of the Great Major Canal to Golden Park. Sergeant Chae was standing at the foot of it, giving Edeard's slightly out-of-breath squad a nonchalant look. 'I'm insulted,' he said loftily. 'You don't trust me?'

  'Procedure, sir,' Macsen puffed. 'We're the reinforcements.'

  'But I haven't called for you, yet.'

  Edeard gestured at the bridge. 'All yours, sir.'

  'Thank you.' Chae glanced round at the eager crowd that was building. 'This is nostalgic, eh?' He turned and led the four constables of his squad up on to the bridge.

  'Have any of them got guns?' Boyd asked.

  'I can't sense any,' Kanseen said. 'Edeard?'

  'No. Nothing. Ivarl will want it to appear like they're just ordinary citizens. He needs to make us the bad guys.'

  'Hey Waterwalker,' a young boy yelled out cheekily. 'Are you going to do it again?'

  'Not today.'

  'Oww, go on, please. Run over the pool. I didn't see it before.'

  The eight men had reached the other end of the bridge. Chae and his squad were standing on the apex, arms folded. Waiting patiently.

  'This is a different day,' Edeard said out loud. The crowd were dividing their attention between him and the gang members over on Golden Park. 'This day we banish the gangs from your streets and lives.'

  The gang men stepped onto the bridge.

  'You!' Chae bellowed. 'Pocklan, we know you and your friends. Come no further.'

  The eight men kept walking forward.

  'I have a warrant signed by the District Master of Jeavons excluding you from this district.'

  'I have done nothing wrong,' Pocklan shouted back. 'I am a free man. I may go where I please in this city. That is the law.'

  'Halt and turn around. Go back where you scum came from.'

  Boyd nudged Edeard. 'Look who's here,' he growled.

  Edeard glanced over where Boyd indicated. Master Cherix was standing at the front of the crowd, watching intently.

  'We knew they'd try to quash the warrants in the courts,' Dinlay said.

  'Please don't let this come down to lawyers,' Kanseen moaned.

  'I'm visiting my mother who lives in Jeavons,' Pocklan said, appealing reasonably to the silent spellbound crowd. 'She has only a few days to live. Would you deny me that right?'

  'What a load of bollocks,' Dinlay said under his breath.

  'Piss off,' Chae said, jabbing his finger forcefully back down the bridge. 'Now.'

  'Sergeant,' Master Cherix said. It wasn't a particularly loud voice, but the authority behind it carried a long way.

  Chae turned round, an expression of utter disgust on his face, backed up by some very strong thoughts escaping past his shield. 'Yes? Sir?'

  'I am this fine gentlemen's legal counsel. May I see this so-called exclusion warrant please?'

  'It's back at the station.'

  'Then until you produce it, and let him see it, as is his right, my client is free to go about his business in whatever district of this city he chooses. As do his equally innocent colleagues.'

  'All right then,' Chae said, and jabbed his finger at Pocklan again. 'Wait here. I'll send a runner.'

  'No, Sergeant,' Cherix said. 'You cannot detain my client without just cause. It is your responsibility to bring the warrant to him. Until it is read to him, he is free to go as he pleases.'

  'I can't run around the district after him and the others,' Chae said.

  'That is not my client's problem,' Master Cherix said affably.

  Pocklan's smirk was indecent. 'Step aside,' he told Chae.

  Edeard walked forward. 'Master Cherix.'

  'Corporal Edeard. How nice to see you. I believe you can be of some help in this unfortunate matter. Your colleague here was about to act unlawfully. As a constable of this city, I am asking you to see the law is enforced equally and fairly.'

  'My pleasure.'

  Master Cherix beckoned Pocklan. 'Come on across the bridge now please my dear chap. You are quite safe with the Water-walker himself guaranteeing your legal rights.'

  'Were you referring to a warrant like this?' Edeard asked innocently. He pulled a roll of parchment out of his tunic.

  Master Cherix's unctuous smile flattened as he started to read. 'But this warrant names—'

  'You.' Edeard smiled. 'Yes. And as such, I am required - by law - to assist you out of Jeavons as quickly as possible.' He reached out with his third hand.

  Master Cherix yelled in consternation as his feet left the ground. The cry turned to pure panic as he kept on rising. The crowd on the alameda gasped as the lawyer soared away over the bridge, continuing to gain height.

  'Put me down!' Cherix screamed with his voice and longtalk. He was higher than the buildings behind the alameda; higher than the white metal pillars lining Golden Park. Still ascending, The watching ge-eagles had to curve sharply to avoid him.

  'Did you hear something?' Edeard asked.

  'He told you to put him down,' Kanseen pronounced solemnly.

  'Oh, fair enough,' Edeard said. He let go.

  Cherix fell out of the sky with a incoherent shriek of fright. He landed in the middle of Birmingham Pool, producing a tremendous splash. The crowd cheered wildly.

  Chae turned back to Pocklan. 'Now where were we?'

  Pocklan gave the sergeant a furious look; then glanced over his shoulder to where an impassive Edeard was waiting. He turned and led his companions back into Golden Park.

  Macsen put his arm round Edeard's shoulder, squeezing strongly. 'Now why is it, do you suppose, people you don't like always wind up getting dunked in Birmingham Pool?'

  'Nostalgia.'

  * * * *

  Edeard had been looking forward to the Lady's Festival of Guidance for what seemed like most of the winter. His friends, and the girls he'd encountered, were always speaking of it in enthusiastic tones. Firstly, it signalled the onset of summer which, as far as he was concerned, couldn't arrive fast enough. But the main reason was to celebrate those who had passed away in the previous year. Everybody who had lost someone made a small memorial boat out of flowers - of any and every colour except white. Mainly it was the children of a family who made them, producing elaborate and colourful boats up to a yard long. They represented the soul of the departed one.

  At midday, the Pythia conducted a service of memorial in tin-Lady's church in Ey
rie. When that ended all the flower boats would be placed in the city's canals. The gondoliers, bedecked in white flowers, guided them down to the port singing hymns of commemoration. Gondolas represented the Skylords, who the Lady promised would come to Querencia once again to guide the souls of humans into the welcome embrace of Odin's Sea. At the port, the gondolas would stop, and the flower boats would carry on, drifting out across the waves.

  It sounded delightful; especially the evening which was one giant party. Now the day was here, and Edeard dozed fitfully as the dawn came to a clear sky, promising good weather for the festival. Chief Constable Walsfol's longtalk intruded sharply into his thoughts. 'Ugh, sir? he responded groggily as the dregs of yet another bizarre dream drained away. He hadn't known the man had such a powerful longtalk. It made sense, though. After Ranalee, a lot of things about the city hierarchy were clearer to him.

  'I need you to report to the Culverit family mansion in Haxpen,' Walsfol told him. 'Come at once.'

  'Yes sir,' Edeard said sleepily. 'Er, why?'

  'I will meet you there and explain the situation. You'd better bring the rest of your squad, too.'

  Edeard rubbed his eyes. He hadn't got to bed until well after midnight. Late last evening, the Lillylight Street association had spotted a gondola with three known gang members making their way along Victoria Canal. Edeard and a couple of Silvarum constables had intercepted them at a mooring platform on Flight Canal. No resistance had been offered when the men were told to leave, but he'd still kept watch on the gondola as it made its way back down the Great Major Canal.

  That was the way of his days now. Constantly alert for attempts to infiltrate racketeers into Jeavons and Silvarum. Called to shops and other businesses when unknown gang members did get through. Two days wasted in court on charges of aggravated psychic assault filed by Master Cherix, who, thankfully, in law was no match for Master Solarin.

  He groaned and pushed his feet out from under the nice warm sheets. Jessile shifted round on the springy mattress. 'What?' she mumbled.

  'Have to go,' he said softly, and kissed her forehead.

  She moaned again, and curled up tighter. 'I won't be here tonight, have to be with family for the party. See you tomorrow.'

  'Right.' Hut she was already asleep again. He ordered a ge-chimp to bring a fresh set of clothes. While he was struggling into them in the dim light he started to call the others. It was rather satisfying spreading the misery.

  Edeard pulled his boots on beside the door, and gave his own flower boat a wistful glance. It wasn't much, a simple frame of card a foot long, over which he'd stuck a dozen red and yellow roses. His friends assured him it was just right, exactly what everyone else constructed. For him it was a belated memorial to Akeem, and all the others of Ashwell village.

  He met up with Boyd and Kanseen on the tenement walkway outside. They weren't in the best of moods at being hauled from their beds so early. Edeard couldn't bring himself to look at Kanseen. She hadn't been alone.

  'Are we waiting for Dinlay?' Boyd asked as they made their way down the stairs.

  'He'll join us there.'

  A smile spread across Boyd's face. 'You mean he was with someone?'

  'Not our concern,' Edeard said, a fraction too sharply. Now he really couldn't look at Kanseen.

  'Any idea what this is about?' she asked.

  'None. But if we're being summoned to the Culverit family by Walsfol himself on this day, you can bet it isn't going to be trivial.'

  'Julan is the Haxpen District Master,' Boyd said. 'He's one of the waverers, isn't he?'

  'I think so,' Edeard said, rubbing his hand over his brow. In truth, he'd lost track of which Master was for them. Their allegiances were very fluid. Lately he'd given up trying to follow the Grand Council machinations, and just prayed Finitan would prevail tomorrow.

  Boyd opened the big wrought iron gate at the entrance to tin-tenement. Macsen was waiting outside. He raised an arm in greeting.

  'Dinlay's still not over Chiaran, you know,' Boyd said cheerfully.

  'We all got a nasty shock over Ivarl's methods,' Edeard told him as they went out into the street. 'Let's just forget about that and move on, shall we?'

  Boyd was clearly going to make some other snide comment, he'd even started to open his mouth when a voice cut across the empty street: 'Waterwalker,' a woman cried.

  She had been sitting up in the doorway of a tailor's shop opposite the tenement. Edeard's farsight had sensed her as they were on the last flight of stairs, but she hadn't been carrying any weapons. She did have three children with her, which was mildly unusual at this time of day, but not anything to concern himself over. He'd assumed she was simply bright and early for the festival. Now she came striding across the street, pulling the sleepy miserable children with her. The eldest was no more than five, while the youngest, a girl, was barely old enough to walk.

  'Where do I go, Waterwalker?' she demanded belligerently. 'Tell me that, eh? Where?'

  'What?' Edeard asked, very confused. Macsen was hurrying over to them.

  'How will my children eat? Ask him, Dannil, go on, ask the great Waterwalker where your next meal is coming from.' The middle child, a boy in a ragged green pullover and worn grey trousers was thrust forward. He looked up at Edeard and his lip began to quake. He burst into tears. 'I want me da!' he wailed.

  'What?' Edeard asked again.

  'Eddis, my husband,' the woman barked. 'You exiled him. Threw him out of his own house. We live in Fonscale Street. Now you bastards come along and tell him he's banned from Silvarum, where we've lived for seven years. He can't come home. Can't come to the house my family has lived in for three centuries. What kind of a law is that, eh? So you tell me, where do I go? How do I feed the children without their father. Eh? Answer me, you backward country shite.'

  Edeard just stared at her, his mind a shocked blank. Boyd groaned, and rolled his eyes up, appealing to the Lady. 'Oh crapit,' he groaned.

  Kanseen was having none of it. 'How did he feed them before?' she asked. 'What job did your husband have?'

  'Go to Honious, bitch. You've done this to us. You've ruined our lives.'

  'What job?'

  'He's a good man. He put food on the table for us. He loved his kiddies.'

  'Yours maybe,' Kanseen said. 'But he hurt other children, didn't he? Threatened them, hit them, made their parents hand over money they'd worked hard for.'

  'He never did.' She covered the eldest boy's ears. 'Lies. That's what you speak: lies! You'll all go to Honious. Eddis worked in the abattoir on Crompton Alley. Dirty work, hard work that no genistar can do.'

  'You knew what he did,' Kanseen snarled. 'If you miss him, then go to him, follow him to his new home. But remember this, we will wipe the city clean of his kind. After this year, there'll bi-no more of him.'

  The woman spat at Kanseen, who swatted it away with hoi third hand. All three children were crying now.

  'I want you to tell Eddis something from me,' Edeard said. 'Tell him that if he leaves the gang behind, if he finds himself a proper job - and there's plenty to be had - he'll be welcome back in Fonscale Street. I'll cancel the warrant myself. That's all he's got to do.'

  'Screw you!' She pulled at her children. 'You know nothing about life. Ivarl will dance on your ashes yet. And no Skylord will ever rescue your soul.'

  Macsen touched the brim of his hat as she stomped off down the street. 'Thank you, madam, always a pleasure to help the citizenry,' but he didn't say it very loud.

  'You okay?' Kanseen asked.

  'Yeah.' Edeard gave her a shaky nod. 'Yeah, I suppose m» Lady, how many families have been split up like that?'

  'Are you serious?' an incredulous Kanseen asked. 'What a the families of Eddis's victims? The people you're supposed to helping? Isoix and his children? Don't they deserve some consideration?'

  'Yes, sorry,' he hung his head. 'I just wasn't expecting this to be so hard.'

  'Cheer up,' Boyd said, and put his arm round Edeard.
'It can only get worse.'

  Edeard was about to remonstrate, then saw Boyd's mocking expression, and he managed a weak smile. 'Much worse.'

  'Far far worse,' Macsen promised.

  'Let's go and see what misery and torment Walsfol has in store for us then.'

  As he set off with his friends, Edeard chastised himself for not expecting such an ambush. The only real surprise was that it hadn't happened earlier. Although they'd managed to add another fifty warrants to the original batch, fifteen had been cancelled. There had been a few genuine cases of mistaken identity, but more than one person in the associations had used the scheme to settle an old grudge. Then there were some traders who'd taken advantage in order to get commercial rivals banned from the district, reducing competition. Each reported case of abuse had to be properly reviewed and sorted out, which took a great deal of time for the constables - but not as long as a court case, as Edeard had to keep pointing out to the grumbling Masters and station captains.

  But even with the troubles and abuse and legal challenges and the racketeers' unrelenting attempts to get past, he considered it a success. And in that he wasn't alone. The gangs had made hardly any collections in Jeavons and Silvarum, and only two I aiders had been assaulted before the constables arrived. Makkathran's remaining districts had watched the results keenly. Under continuing pressure the Masters of Haxpen, Lillylight, Drupe, llongo, and Padua were drawing up their own warrants and talking to the station captains about enforcement. In another couple of days, they could well be signed. Tomorrow was the last day of Vologral's three week trial. Not that the District Master and Representatives would have the final say. Not any more. The Grand Council was due to convene to debate the 'disturbance' to city life caused by the reintroduction of the exclusion warrants. Finitan was leading the bloc of Councillors arguing their benefit. If they lost, the warrants would be revoked; and as Finitan had told him, Bise was preparing an act to rescind the original law. He had a lot of tacit support, Finitan said, because no one was sure where the whole thing would end. Was it the Waterwalker's intention to turn Sampalok into a criminal ghetto, cut off from the rest of the city? And exactly how did such a young inexperienced constable come to lead such a campaign in the first place. Politically, the Masters were becoming very nervous of Edeard. Finitan was coming under increasing pressure from his fellow Masters to produce a valid conclusion to the campaign.