Ruin & Reliance

by Jeremy Dwyer

  “This is quite alarming. Can you prove this fraud, Commissioner Wallace?” Senator Nova asked.

  “I am a drinker of the Kazofen waters, so I can precisely inspect the low-level structure of any precious gem or stone. I found this discrepancy – this violation – during my audit of several shipping containers. This is too large to be an accident, Senator Nova,” Commissioner Wallace said.

  “So long as you have proof, we can file a complaint with the central bank. They will review it and issue a decision,” Senator Paion said.

  “Issue a decision? Senator Paion, they need to compensate us for our loss, as well as paying interest and penalties,” Commissioner Wallace said.

  “I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that, Commissioner. The central bank has clauses in its contracts that gemstone quality disputes will be arbitrated by independent crystal benders to determine if a correction is necessary,” Senator Paion said.

  “I’ve already proven the gemstone quality is substandard – well below the contractually mandated quality level. This is a breach of contract. The central bank certified those gemstones – many of which were diamonds – as being of a higher quality than they were. This is an outrage that the matter has to be arbitrated. Their violation could not be any clearer!” Commissioner Wallace said.

  Commissioner Hannah didn’t care for the screaming or impatience or rudeness of her chubby, obnoxious colleague in the least. However, she actually did agree with the substance of his complaints.

  “Senators Paion and Nova, I am Commissioner Hannah from Western District Nineteen (19). I am here to report an urgent matter of my own. We have inadequate resources for fishing and farming, with more labor than we can gainfully employ. Pay is reduced and farmers are threatening work stoppages. They’re illegal, of course, but some of the workers are getting paid a third (1/3) of what they should. We need new lakes to be constructed for the fishing industry. Also, a new canal project was actively being dug to reach the Gradaken Ocean, but the bearings of its flow direction were wrong, threatening to impose on the farmers’ fields, which would exacerbate their problems. I pointed out this design error to the construction manager and he refused to acknowledge or correct it. This is a threat to the food supply in my district,” Hannah said.

  “These concerns are serious, and you were right to bring them to our attention. We can discuss possible solutions at the next meeting of the full senate,” Senator Paion said.

  “We meet in thirty-five (35) days, and will bring up all of these issues,” Senator Nova said.

  “I can’t accept that! That’s outrageous! We’re losing money! We’re going to have bankruptcies and food shortages in our districts! Something has to be done immediately, Senators!” Commissioner Wallace said.

  “I have to agree with Commissioner Wallace. Time is not our ally, and these difficulties will only get worse. With each passing day, we lose more financially and agriculturally. We’re responsible for operating our respective districts of this empire on a day to day basis. We need solutions today, not a discussion thirty-five (35) days from now,” Commissioner Hannah said.

  “The full senate can solve a great many problems when we meet. We have the highest authority, and your reports will be brought up in our meeting, I assure you,” Senator Nova said.

  “We have representatives from the central bank present at every session, and the gemstone quality deficiencies will be mentioned. This matter will be resolved. I have every confidence in that,” Senator Paion said.

  “I do not have any confidence in that, Senator Paion. I need solutions today, or my district is going to go bankrupt. I can’t be the only commissioner receiving these low quality gemstones, wrongly certified by the central bank as being compliant. If this happens in two (2) or three (3) other districts, this whole empire will go bankrupt before long,” Commissioner Wallace said.

  “We will do all that we can, Commissioner Wallace. I know this is a difficult situation, but I must ask that you be patient and trust the senate. Once we bring this matter to the attention of the central bank, your concerns will be resolved in accordance with our legislative procedures and written contracts,” Senator Nova said.

  “Patience and trust do not begin to solve serious, urgent problems, Senator Nova,” Commissioner Wallace said.

  “And they don’t begin to address my concerns, either. Perhaps my district could have some temporary relief. Construction projects should be designed and managed by someone who is highly reliable. Fantine could do the work – she could design a proper canal, a district-wide canal system even, with artificial lakes for the fishing industry. She would construct it correctly, with the proper flow direction, much faster than the senate could meet. I just need funding for that project. Also, that needs to go along with a written authorization to cancel the current project, which is not being managed correctly,” Commissioner Hannah said.

  “I’m afraid we can’t just cancel the construction project underway, Commissioner Hannah. Again, the central bank has stipulations about projects they help finance. They choose the construction manager and, if any problems occur, an arbitrator will settle the dispute,” Senator Nova said.

  “I thought you said that you had the highest authority, Senator Nova. It sounds to me as if the central bank actually has that,” Commissioner Hannah said.

  “Yes! That’s exactly what I was afraid of! You haven’t assisted either of us to handle these urgent matters. You keep deferring to the authority of the central bank, the very same people responsible for our problems. The financial security of the Ihalik Empire is at risk because of their actions! Our policies need changing immediately. This is an emergency!” Commissioner Wallace said.

  “It’s going to have to wait until a meeting of the full senate. I’m sorry that doesn’t satisfy you, but we have laws and procedures,” Senator Paion said.

  “Good day, Senators,” Commissioner Hannah said.

  “You’re giving up? We need to keep restating our concerns! Together, we can convince them that we have too many problems to keep ignoring,” Commissioner Wallace said.

  “There’s no more to be said here and now. Thank you for your time, Senators Paion and Nova,” Commissioner Hannah said.

  “Good day, Commissioners,” Senator Paion said.

  “I wish you both well,” Senator Nova said.

  ~~~

  The young clerk escorted Commissioners Wallace and Hannah out of the office, closing and locking the door behind him as he went. He then led them down the ten (10) flights of stairs to the main floor. He opened and unlocked the door leading back to the large room where the political lobbyists and other special interests were gathered around clerical workers, bickering and bargaining for attention and favors. After closing and locking the door that led to the stairwell, the clerk returned to his own desk.

  ~~~

  Commissioner Hannah exited the headquarters of the Bureau of Imperial Trade, Finance and Construction through its sliding gateway. From there, she headed west to meet with the riverboat captain who brought her. Commissioner Wallace follower her, along with his twenty (20) armed guards and their prisoner, Captain Roz.

  “Why leave now? Together, we could have pressured them into taking action. You gave up too quickly,” Commissioner Wallace said.

  “No, together, we were just wasting more time. The senators are in debt to the central bank and bound by its rules and the contracts they signed. They have no loyalty to the Ihalik Empire. This city is more corrupt than I ever thought, and I always thought it was horribly corrupt,” Commissioner Hannah said.

  “Then what do you plan to do? Just accept the corruption, the incompetence and the fraud?” Commissioner Wallace asked.

  “No. I intend to cut my own deals. And those low grade gemstones you’re receiving – what are they good for?” Commissioner Hannah asked.

  “Some construction work, some water purification crystals, some sailing crystals, but everything they’re made into will be of a poor quality,” Com
missioner Wallace said.

  “They can be sold, can’t they?” Commissioner Hannah asked.

  “They’re not mine to sell. They’re part of the allotment we receive according to the senate’s finance laws and those contracts with the central bank,” Commissioner Wallace said.

  “You have the authority to manage your own district. Sell them and use the funds to pay Fantine for a design and construction project in my district,” Commissioner Hannah said.

  “That’s ridiculous! It solves your problems and makes mine worse. Then, I have nothing to show in my own district because the gemstones are gone and the funds from selling them are gone,” Commissioner Wallace said.

  “Not if we record the transaction as an inter-district loan. I’ll owe you,” Commissioner Hannah said.

  “Yes…that would be true…but how will you ever repay me?” Commissioner Wallace asked.

  “I won’t have to. When I default on the loan, your district can file for bankruptcy. Then, you can get automatic aid from the Bureau of Imperial Trade, Finance and Construction,” Commissioner Hannah said.

  “That’s beyond idiotic. Even if it worked, I’d lose my job for causing the bankruptcy,” Commissioner Wallace said.

  “No, because you helped another district, so you’ll be pardoned,” Commissioner Hannah said.

  “You expect me to take that risk?” Commissioner Wallace asked.

  “I recommend it. If you won’t help me, I’ll find someone else who will,” Commissioner Hannah said.

  “Then go and try to find someone else. Your idea is too risky – for me, or for anyone who has any good sense,” Commissioner Wallace said.

  “And let me go. You have no authority over me, you crooked bureaucrat!” Captain Roz said.

  “Very well. Release her, and we’ll return to my district together,” Commissioner Wallace said. The armed guards released Captain Roz.

  “I’ll find my own way back,” Captain Roz said.

  Commissioner Hannah returned to her own district and Commissioner Wallace – along with his twenty (20) armed guards – returned to his own.

  CHAPTER 10: Rituals of Burning and Harvesting

  “Janne, is the course charted?” Captain Fausto asked.

  “Yes, Captain. A copy of it is written into your log book, as per your requirements,” Janne said.

  “Steer the ship. I need to make sure our sailing crystals are ready when we arrive,” Captain Fausto said. He exited the wheelhouse and walked across the deck of the ship toward one of the cabins.

  ~~~

  Janne remained in the wheelhouse and steered the Calibrated Provisions southward across the Atrejan Ocean, heading toward the southeastern peninsula of the continent of Baradaxa. Her charted course passed over that stretch of land and continued in the Dead Waters Ocean on its southern side.

  ~~~

  Sussman was a fifty-six (56) year old man whose entire life – since he received his Kazofen waterbinding at age five (5) – was dedicated to the mastery of manipulating crystals and stones. Inside his cabin, he worked at his desk, experimenting with making alterations to the low-level structures of various diamonds, although he kept rubies, emeralds, sapphires, garnets, topaz and citrines nearby for when he needed them. His desk was cluttered with the various gemstones, as well as with bits of limestone, several flasks and a network of tubes.

  The door to his cabin opened and Captain Fausto entered.

  Sussman stood up immediately and asked: “Captain, what can I do for you?”

  “Are the sound dampening crystals in place?” Captain Fausto asked.

  “Yes, Captain,” Sussman said.

  “Good. Now, I need you to prepare the visual concealment sailing crystals,” Captain Fausto said.

  “Yes, Captain. I just need a moment to get ready,” Sussman said. He drank anew of the waters of the Kazofen Ocean from his vial and was energized with the power to control crystals and stones. He then began pouring more Kazofen water from his vial into an empty vial and then dropped a limestone into it. He manipulated the movements of the water crystals so that they would separate from the impurities, which were then attracted to the limestone. He poured the purified Kazofen water into another empty vial and drank it, energizing himself further so that he could manipulate crystals and stones even more precisely. Sussman repeated this process – known as the virtuous cycle – a total of eight (8) times, producing increasingly purified potions of Kazofen water and drinking them, magnifying his powers over crystals and stones to the requisite level.

  “Are you ready, Sussman?” Captain Fausto asked.

  “Yes, the virtuous cycle must occur eight (8) times at least to increase the Kazofen water purity to the required level. Now, I can mold the concealment sailing crystals for our mission,” Sussman said.

  “Follow me, Sussman,” Captain Fausto said. He led Sussman out of the cabin and onto the deck of the Calibrated Provisions. From there, they went to the door of another cabin, which Captain Fausto unlocked and opened. They entered and then Captain Fausto closed and locked the door behind him. Inside was a stairwell leading below deck.

  “I have enough raw crystals for a single mission, there and back. No spares this time,” Captain Fausto said.

  “I don’t need spares, if all of them are top quality,” Sussman said.

  “They’re expensive, so they’re top quality. You won’t need to fix them,” Captain Fausto said.

  “Unfortunately, a high price is no guarantee of high quality, Captain. If the gems do have flaws, it will take me extra time to prepare, because I have to fix them before I modify them to act as concealment crystals,” Sussman said.

  “If you can fix the crystals, that’s news to me. Last time, you said you couldn’t. We had to reschedule the delivery until I found a better supplier,” Captain Fausto said.

  “I developed a better technique, Captain. I figured out more about the nuances of their low-level structure. I know how to remove the defects in the crystal geometry and improve them to the quality we need for cloaking,” Sussman said.

  “Good. Any delays cost me money. I almost lost the shipping contract last time. Let’s get to work and be quick about it,” Captain Fausto said.

  Captain Fausto led Sussman down the stairs into a small room containing a six (6) foot long by three (3) foot wide redwood table and a ten (10) foot wide by ten (10) foot deep by eight (8) foot high safe that had a combination lock.

  The captain began turning the safe’s combination dial left and right to the different numbers until it was unlocked. He then opened the safe and walked in. It was mostly empty except for a tray containing eight (8) large white-blue crystals. Fausto took hold of the tray, exited the safe, handed the tray of crystals to Sussman and then closed and relocked the safe.

  “Get to work, here and now, so you won’t be disturbed,” Captain Fausto said.

  Sussman placed the tray of white-blue crystals on the redwood table and examined all eight (8) of them closely, verifying that their low-level structures were correct. “Captain, seven (7) of these eight (8) crystals are of a high quality and need only the ordinary adjustment. One (1) will need to be corrected first. I’ll begin working on it now,” he said.

  “Just be careful not to break it. I’ve lost enough money and time already,” Captain Fausto said.

  Sussman worked carefully, molding the imperfect crystal as if it were clay in his hands, although the visible changes were not where the complexity was. The low-level structure was not quite what it needed to be. He consulted the other seven (7) crystals as references, matching his work to what he saw in them. After five (5) hours of intense concentration and intricate crafting, he had it. He then made the ordinary adjustment to all eight (8) crystals, preparing them for the journey ahead.

  “Well, Sussman? Are the concealment crystals ready?” Captain Fausto asked, visibly impatient and struggling to contain his temper.

  “Yes, Captain. As soon as you give to order to cloak the ship, we can use these crysta
ls,” Sussman said.

  “Let’s go up on deck and have the sail weavers knit them in,” Captain Fausto said. Sussman took hold of the tray of eight (8) concealment crystals and followed Captain Fausto up the stairs. At the top, the captain unlocked and opened the cabin door, led Sussman out on deck, then closed and locked the cabin door behind him.

  ~~~

  Captain Fausto led Sussman across the deck of the Calibrated Provisions and into the wheelhouse, where Janne was busy steering the ship. The captain asked: “Janne, where are we?”

  “We’re sailing south across the Dead Waters Ocean toward eastern Volaraden, Captain. We already passed over the southeastern Baradaxa peninsula,” Janne said.

  “Bring the ship to a halt, Janne. Then, pivot the sails and masts to the sides and swing them in, so the sail weavers can get to work. I want to be ready when we get there,” Captain Fausto said.

  “Yes, Captain,” Janne said. She pulled levers to halt the movement of the Calibrated Provisions and then to pivot the sails downward and inward.

  “Sussman, come with me,” Captain Fausto said.

  ~~~

  Sussman followed Captain Fausto out of the wheelhouse and back onto the deck. The captain gestured toward the sail weavers who were among the crew and always on standby to repair or replace damaged sails.

  “Weave these crystals in to the centers of the sails, extremely carefully. Drop or scratch any of them and it will be the last mistake you make this side of the grave. I keep telling you that so you never forget it,” Captain Fausto said.

  Eight (8) different sail weavers – five (5) young men and three (3) young women – each took hold of a white-blue crystal from the tray that Sussman held. They all drank anew of the waters of the Medathero Ocean from their respective vials to be energized with the power of calm, rational thought. Thus readied for the meticulous work ahead, they each began carefully weaving the white-blue crystals they were given into the centers of the lowered sails. In a matter of one (1) hour, the work was done.