by Tony Corden
There was silence at Leah’s unequivocal answer.
“4: This evidence is stored in a secure location, and I will have access to it within the next ten real-hours if things proceed at the pace they have been.”
“S: Leah, will you make this evidence public?”
“No. I won’t show it to anyone unless backed into a corner and even then, I doubt it will ever be seen. I’m struggling to even deal with it at the moment. I don’t think I could watch it again, much less have it made public.”
“S: Do you hold Dunyanin responsible?”
“Of course. They have a rogue AI who tried to kill me. I warned them several times, and it doesn’t seem like they’ve done anything about it. Will I sue them? No. However, at the risk of sounding overly brash, because they didn’t deal with it, I will. I was planning on destroying Suzluk semi-privately, but it’s about to become a public spectacle.”
“S: Will you agree to remove the reference to Suzluk’s involvement from your feed?”
“No. I’ll think about it if they isolate the Suzluk AI and can guarantee that no copies of that AI exist and submit to an independent audit to confirm that. They also have to agree to the complete destruction and erasure of the isolated AI.”
“S: They won’t agree to that. They can’t agree to that. If what you say is true, then they could never guarantee it.”
“Then tell Erol that he wanted a war, and now he has one.”
“S: Any wriggle room on any of that?”
“No.”
“T: What do you want me to say when I’m asked about it?”
“Feel free to share what I said happened. You can suggest people stay tuned to what’s happening in Dunyanin and feel free to participate in bringing down an odious, reprehensible and wicked excuse for a god.”
“T: Anything else?”
“Yes. If you see Catherine, then please tell her I sent her a request.”
Sharon looked over at Stephen. He said, “S: I understand what you’ve said, and most of me agrees, but there is a part of me that thinks it would be better to mediate a solution.”
“I understand that Stephen, and if you find it hard to represent me in this, then I can get someone else. I’m happy with all the other stuff you do so it would only be on this issue unless you wanted to go another way.”
“S: No way. I am committed. If it is war, then so be it. I was just thinking of you. You’ve been through so much it just seems like another stress, and I don’t want you to get burnt.”
“It was becoming too much, but I’ve been reminded by both Gèng and Three that what’s happening is best not thought of as a burden I have to carry, but rather a step I can use to climb higher. They didn’t use those words but it’s what they’ve hinted at.”
Both Sharon and Stephen left almost immediately. Leah talked through several of her plans with Gèng before heading for the SPIDER and the portal to Pneumatica.
45
December 26 2073 - 2
PNEUMATICA - GRAH
After stepping through the portal to Pneumatica, Leah found herself back on the wood bench and was a little surprised to feel the wagon moving. With her eyes closed, she was able to check her surroundings and was pleased to feel that her companions were still in control of the wagon train. Sitting up, Leah climbed out of the wagon. She moved toward the engine where she could tell Takobi, Rundar and Jamaree were talking with one of the creatures from Julgon. Even though they were facing away from her, she could sense when their mouths were moving.
The creature from Julgon shifted its stance slightly as Leah approached, but the other three seemed unaware that she had returned. Stepping up beside Takobi, she said, “Hello, Brother, why are we moving?”
“T: Ah, you are awake. If it was a beauty sleep you took, then it pains me to say that it didn’t work. To answer your question, I decided to keep moving. I was hoping to get close to the tunnel and give you more time to help us get inside.”
“That sounds like a great idea. Jamaree, greetings, how far away are we?”
“X: I expect that will enter the tunnel in less than an hour.”
“Good.”
Turning to the Julgon, she said, “Hello, my name is Charlotte.”
The Julgon turned slightly toward her and although she’d seen one before, she hadn’t studied one in detail. Its face was more fish-like than anything with eyes on either side which were able to move independently or focus forward together. Its outer surface was covered in scales. Each Julgon was uniquely marked, and this one had scales predominantly pink to orange in colour with deep blue markings around the eyes. It was bipedal but had a long thick tail which reminded Leah of an alligator’s. On the tail’s upper surface, there was a ridge of sharp spines. This ran along the tail and up the backbone to the top of the fish-like head. The feet had five elongated and sharp claws. The hands also had claws, but these were shorter and divided, giving it two thumbs, one on either side of the four fingers.
“L: Greetings and best wishes for the day, Charlotte. My personal name is Laraafheiceannrudaígosoiléir. However, many of the unenlightened simply call me Lara. I will not be offended if you take this liberty.”
“Greetings Laraafheiceannrudaígosoiléir. I thank you for the gift of your name and also for your understanding in allowing me the liberty to use the shortened version. I would grant you the same liberty. The name Charlotte is sometimes shortened to Charlie.”
“L: Thank you, Charlotte, for that gift. I must take this opportunity to thank you for freeing myself and my fellow Julgon. I found the means of our rescue both barbaric and distasteful, but nonetheless, I am somewhat encouraged by the outcome.”
“That is as it should be, Lara. Violence is always both barbaric and distasteful and thus should be the last resort. If possible we would have taken a more enlightened approach. Unfortunately our choice was limited. If we had waited, then all of those held captive not only would have perished but we would have been forced to become monsters who attacked others at every opportunity. The only way to prevent this was to escape.”
“L: Our people hold that there is always a better way. I was attempting to raise this option with these three before you approached.”
“If we can divine a solution by which no violence is done, then we will take it. This option must preclude our enslavement or even the likelihood of being recaptured. We will not enter into dialogue with those creatures known as Ja’ mar, for it is manifest that that would result either in our death or in the loss of freedom. We will capture rather than kill, if that is at all possible. If not, then we will kill quickly and with as much precision as possible to reduce suffering.”
“L: Thank you, I am still disquieted by the prospect of violence but will find encouragement in your assertion that you will first look toward the peaceful option.”
With that, the Julgon stopped and waited to join the wagon carrying his fellow Julgon. Takobi shook his head and said, “T: We’ve been saying the same thing for the last half an hour.”
“I doubt it. You probably tried to make excuses or you tried to explain when and why you would do something violent. I simply agreed to look for a peaceful solution first. That is what it wanted.”
“X: She, that was one of their females. In Julgon society, the males are rarely seen, and none that I know of have ever left Julgon.”
“T: Yuwata, I may have to start calling you Charlie for if that is what their females look like, then maybe you aren’t as ugly as I thought.”
Ignoring Takobi, Leah said, “Jamaree, what can we expect at the tunnel entrance?”
“X: Several hundred paces before we arrive, the spikes of hanji end. This way the guards limit the number who cross together. The bars of the cage are made of hanji and the tractor will cross alone. The guards usually cross in groups of ten or less.”
“How long is the tunnel?”
“X: Three of your leagues.”
“Could you describe the tunnel? What are its defences, and
how will we be able to infiltrate the sanctuary without being seen?”
“X: Each sanctuary has its own defence strategies. I have not been to Taranna before. If it is like the others it will have checkpoints every quarter league. These are always manned by our elite.”
“How are we to get past the checkpoints?”
“X: I do not know. I assumed you would fight your way in if it was needed. All free people are usually welcome in the sanctuaries.”
“How many free non-Ma’nav are there on Grah?”
“X: Until now, I did not know of any except those in the embassies.”
“Takobi, how much food and other necessities do we have?”
“T: There is enough for another three or four days. After that, we will need to forage.”
“X: It is said that as you approach the sanctuaries, supplies can still be found in the ruined and empty homes of the now-abandoned cities.”
“So, this sanctuary called Taranna was once a city?”
“X: Yes. There were over ten million citizens living here. It was a major hub for trade. Many of our largest cities were built around the Hanji mines.”
Leah walked in silence for several minutes and the others, sensing she was considering the options, said nothing. Finally, she said, “Takobi, let’s stop out of sight of the tunnel entrance and set a watch in front and behind. Two or three of us will head into the wasteland and enter the city to see if we can observe this sanctuary from the outside.”
“X: You cannot. The Ja’ mar number in the tens of millions around each sanctuary. Not only those who lived here but many from the entire region have made their way here. If they see or hear you they will swarm. The only safe place is in the tunnel.”
“Jamaree, you had the option of leaving us before. Now that we approach the tunnel, that option will be taken away. We cannot allow you to warn them of our escape. You are free to head into the wasteland or to move back along the trail. If you want to continue with us close to the tunnel then you will be agreeing to stay until the end. What will it be?”
“X: Would you imprison me? Am I not a companion?”
“Maybe we would keep you under guard to assure our safety, more likely I would offer to grant you your peace. If you have used us simply to gain your freedom or to use us that you might escape to safety while we are once more imprisoned, then you’re a danger to our continuing freedom.”
“X: I would not betray you. That would be dishonourable.”
“Good, then what will it be? Are you with us, or are you on your own?”
“X: I will remain.”
“Good. Rundar, keep an eye on her. If she tries to escape, then feel free to snack.”
Jamaree looked at Rundar in horror as he licked his lips and smiled, showing all his teeth. Takobi grinned then said, “T: I suggest three of us go. You, me and one other. Do you mind who?”
“No. Were there any knives collected from the guards? I have two of the pistols, two swords and a spear but a few knives would be useful. How much ammunition do we have?”
Takobi and Leah continued to talk as they walked and fleshed out a plan for Rundar who was to be left behind. Takobi chose a second Pyranthian as the third member of the group to go reconnoitre. Her name was Kimtora, and she’d been sold as a slave from the Pyranthian homeworld. Although she spoke no English, Takobi assured Leah that she was an asset.
By the time everything was planned out, the forward scouts had seen the tunnel entrance and found a sheltered place to stop almost four hundred paces from the end of the hanji spikes. As soon as the caravan stopped Leah, Takobi and Kimtora moved away from the others. Leah led them toward a dip in the trail she had chosen as the place to leave the protection of the hanji spikes.
As they stepped away, Leah said, “Takobi, when I left yesterday you wanted an explanation of how I saw behind me and why I speak without moving my mouth.”
“T: Yes, even today as we walked, I noticed you did not move your head, or even your eyes, as we walked. Any warrior knows to always check their surroundings. Even so, you were not taken by surprise.”
“As you know, I am from the aether worlds. It is only when I travel from my homeworld that my death is not permanent. When I am on my homeworld, then my death is forever, just as yours is if you die here. Some enemies took me prisoner and destroyed those parts of my brain which help me to see, to hear and to speak. They also arranged for me to be killed and for my body to be disposed of. Before I was killed I managed to kill my guards and escape. Because it was part of my brain they destroyed I cannot use a machine like the one in my eye, or like the arms some people have. Instead I found a way to use my skin to read the information that normally goes through my eye. From that information, I can ‘see’ clearly almost everything around me for eighty to a hundred paces. I cannot hear your voice but a small machine takes your words and writes them on my finger. If you watch you will see I am moving my fingers. This also uses a small machine, it changes the words I write into a sound you can hear.”
Takobi stopped to look at Leah and said, “T: You are blind.”
“Yes, both blind and deaf.”
“T: You felt the Ja’ mar in the hollow?”
“Yes, it is important because while I know what is happening close to me, I’m still learning how to understand the signals from a long way off. The biggest threat though will be from noises I do not hear. I live in silence. I do not hear the clash of swords, the wind in the bushes, the footsteps of those who try and sneak up on me. I will feel them before I hear them.”
“T: Then it is good my hearing is better than that of a human. Let me explain to Kimtora, and then we can leave.”
Leah stepped ahead, and although she could see the two Pyranthians speaking behind her, she ignored them. Instead, she studied the area on both sides of the trail, looking for the safest pathways. Finally, Takobi stepped beside Leah and said, “T: Kimtora is sceptical but is still willing to follow. She believes there is a debt owed for her freedom. We are ready.”
46
December 26 2073 - 2
PNEUMATICA - GRAH
As she finished reading his words, Leah stepped between the hanji spikes and set off into the wasteland at a jog. After one hundred paces she turned toward where Jamaree said the city was and began winding her way through the broken landscape. Sensing some Ja’ mar ahead, she broke to the left only to feel three more in that direction. Reading the land, she either needed to circle back or somehow deal with both groups as the terrain showed they could see each other. With a hand motion she pointed Takobi toward the three and raising three fingers mimed they were in a gully fifty paces ahead. Then pointing to herself, she indicated that she would deal with two others on the path they’d been on.
Leah hadn’t slowed as she’d been communicating and cut back to her right, unsheathing a sword and palming a knife. Both of the Ja’ mar she was running toward had gaping and festering wounds. As she got closer, she could see they were picking at a broken and mostly clean skeleton. One of the Ja’ mar had a prosthetic arm which must have been damaged because as he used it to scrape what little flesh remained on the bones, it jerked up and down as if the cogs were slipping.
The land surrounding the two Ja’ mar was flat. Leah shifted direction to approach from behind the one with the faulty arm, hoping his body blocked her from the second creature. Leah made it to within ten paces before the Ja’ mar facing her was aware of her approach. As that one raised its head to scream, Leah’s knife slammed into its mouth, shattering the front teeth before cutting the spinal cord. As the other turned to look, Leah’s sword removed its head.
Less than a minute later, Leah had checked both bodies for weapons, retrieved her knife and made sure that both Ja’ mar had been killed and given their peace. What shocked her most was the pile of bones which shifted in her direction until she severed the head, which was still held in position by some desiccated ligaments. For good measure, Leah smashed the skull which had a desiccated but intact
brain. With a shiver she turned back to the left, heading for where Takobi and Kimtora were searching their dead.
Leah waited until she was sure she’d been seen by Takobi, then resumed her run toward the city. Leah was able to move around most of the Ja’ mar, but several more times in the next hour the three had to kill groups of the undead. Only once did one of the creatures manage to give the scream that Jamaree had described as a call to other Ja’ mar nearby. As Takobi finished off that Ja’ mar, Leah circled behind a group of five who had been attracted by the scream. Using the almost silent pistol, Leah finished them off one by one as they ran and stumbled toward the noise.
Over the next hour, the three covered almost a-league-and-a-half. Because Leah tried to evade groups of undead while staying off the small rises and ridges of the ground, they were only a league closer to the city. Leah began to feel the occasional abandoned and decaying homestead and then she felt what might be a village or an outer suburb of the city. Slowing to a stop, she waved the other two forward and said, “Takobi, we’re reaching the outskirts of the city. Just over the next rise there are streets with homes. The houses are set on larger blocks of land, but they become denser the further out I try and feel. Jamaree suggested we would begin to find a higher concentration of Ja’ mar from here toward the city. I can’t feel any, but I’m not confident just yet in how this way of ‘seeing’ things might work in a denser environment.”
