Stars Asunder

by Tao Wong

  I think the old Paladins were cynics like me. Society’s Web tells the tale of actions taken, obligations and duties and emotional resonance. But only when those things are acted upon. At the end of the day, it’s the truth of what we do that it shows, rather than the platitudes of what we say. Or try to say.

  “I really don’t care.”

  My words send a ripple of shock racing through the hall, and a few of his minions hem us in, trying to intimidate by presence alone. They are stilled by a look. Not mine, but the Viscountess, who has made an appearance, though she takes no other overt action.

  I say, “Your obstructions stop now. In fact, you’re going to make sure that every single immigrant ship arrives safely.”

  “That’s an extremely wide-ranging order. I cannot stop bandits and pirates and lousy maintenance,” Krenmock exclaims, playing to the crowds. “Surely you don’t expect me to provide those immigrants with new ships if theirs break down.”

  “Again. I don’t really care.” I give the man a grin filled with teeth. “Get it done, or I’ll find someone else who will.”

  The Duke’s gaze sharpens. But before he can ask for clarity, if he’s going to ask for clarity, I walk off with Catrin on my arm. I said what I wanted to say, and maybe it’s the crowds, the way he acted, but he reminded me of Minion, of the mayor. Of the way they tried to shade what they did in the guise of a better world. And it sparked an old hurt. Made me be blunter, cruder than I needed to be.

  Whatever.

  What will come, will come.

  For now, what is, is. And what is is that I’ve got a beautiful lady on my arm who wants to meet a lot of people.

  Chapter 15

  Julierudi finds me late that night, when things are dying out and I’m seated by myself in a corner. After my last pronouncement, the number of individuals wanting to get to know us had died down a little. A little. I still had to gladhand a bunch, talk to them about their problems, learn a little about what they wanted me to do for them and who they wanted to point me at. I listened, recorded everything, and promised to look into it. And then sent them on their way.

  Toward the end of the night, Catrin parted with me, intent on making her own connections. That worked for me, allowing me to find a place to settle down, conjure chocolate, and steal passing food while watching the threads dance. I’ve got a minor headache from keeping the Skill up and running for so long, a mental exhaustion I’d be loathe to carry if I expected violence. But for all my warnings to the kids, this is one of the few areas I’m pretty sure I’m safe.

  And the reason, arriving before me in her tall, elegant gown, offers a mocking smile. “Paladin. That was… interestingly done.”

  “Sometimes being blunt is the easiest.”

  “And sometimes it makes things harder. But you’re not one to shy from the hard work either, are you?” Julieurdi says as she takes a seat across from me.

  “Don’t have the time,” I say, gesturing around the group. “If I was here longer, I might have favors to call in, ways to get him to do what I want that aren’t as blunt. But”—I shrug—“I don’t. So I use what I have.”

  “The threat of violence,” Julierudi says.

  “Yes.”

  “And when that fails?” The Viscountess asks.

  “We’ll have to find out, won’t we?”

  Julierudi’s eyes narrow, then she laughs. “You certainly are a breath of fresh air. I’ll be interested to see how Krenmock deals with you.” And how I deal with Krenmock. It could turn out badly for me, solving their problem of more Paladins. Which, I assume, is why she’s supported me this much. “Tell me, are the initiates you’re training going to be similar to you?”

  I shrug. “That’s up to them. I’m sure a few might be more diplomatic. Some might even support your abuses.” I lean back in the chair, enjoying the plush comfiness, feeling how I sink into its cream-and-yellow embrace. I dismiss Society’s Web, saving myself from the headache and beginning the recovery process.

  “You say abuses, we say efficient distribution of work. Or do you think we should set out bidding processes for every contract? We should try for equality when it’s quite clear who will get the job when we have the Levels and the Classes?” Julierudi says. “Equality is a nice ideal, but it pales under the light of the System.

  “Classes and Levels are fixed and clear. There are Classes that are better than others, Levels which are higher. Put together into a corporation or Guild, it is easy to quantify and note who is superior. Why should we waste time taking part in pageantry and sacrifice efficiency? Why should those who have better Levels, who have strived for those Levels, sacrifice for those who are too lazy to improve themselves?”

  “And what does Brerdain say of that?”

  “Perhaps you should ask him. I wouldn’t want to put words in his mouth,” she says.

  I flash her a tight smile. “But I’m asking you.”

  She hesitates before indulging my question. “He, and his people, would say that we are too dependent on a few groups. That in doing so, we leave ourselves vulnerable to shocks in the system. That our enemies could exploit that. By hogging Leveling chances, by keeping our services constrained, we harm the growth of our Empire.”

  “And?” I raise an eyebrow, curious to hear her rebuttal.

  “His way sees the creation of a large number of low-Level Master Classers at best. Focusing our attention on a few, we can push a select number of Artisans to Heroic Levels.”

  “Not Legendary?” I say, lips curled up slightly.

  Julierudi sniffs. “You should know the answer to that by now.”

  I nod in acknowledgement of her point. The gap between Heroic and Legendary is vast. Even for someone like me, my growth has slowed significantly. For “normal” individuals, the climb to Legendary could be considered impossible. At that point, even Artisans need to venture into the Forbidden Zone, need to achieve a number of truly lucky opportunities and take part in some extremely large battles, just to scrape together the experience needed.

  No. The jump between Heroic and Legendary isn’t something an Empire, even one as powerful as the Erethran Empire, can achieve just by desiring it. Not with the way experience is gifted, not the way it gets discounted when too much danger, too much help is blocked. I know this better than most.

  For I have seen the statistics, watched as specialists, statisticians, and researchers run the numbers. As I think about it, the data floods back. The research tables, the videos, the memo notes. As Questors draw information from across the System Galaxy, across thousands of years. Data, compiled and tested, scenarios modeled. The simple answer is that the System wants individuals, needs individuals, to achieve Legendary Status alone. As if… as if it doesn’t trust an empire with the power to make Legendaries.

  This time around, as the information floods past me, I spot something else. Another piece of information, a discussion I’d missed last time. A series of research papers that had been redacted in the normal archive. Of changes in experience gains by the Council, jumps in Levels by those sponsored by the empires and the sudden shift, of new rules and Titles, of deaths. And the sudden cessation of their growth.

  A battle played out between the Galactic Council and the System itself, as one and the other tries to push their own goals. It reinforces my knowledge, my understanding, that the System is self-correcting. The question is—is it a sub-routine or a deliberate choice? The problem with a good, self-learning program is that Turing’s Test can easily be fooled. Even so, there are answers here in the way it discounts Titles or alters experience gains from Perks or—in one case—elevated an entire neighboring race to wipe out a hive-mind, single-organism race. The answer it hints at is a guiding intelligence, one that is more than just a sophisticated program.

  “Well, it has been a while,” Julierudi says, drawing my attention once again.

  I blink, staring at her, and realize I did it again. Faded out as information passed through me. And in the corner of my
eye, I notice the System Quest update blink and flash away as experience is provided to me. “A while?”

  “Since I have been so thoroughly ignored,” the Viscountess says. There’s a slight smirk on her face, and a bit of a glare.

  I’d flush in embarrassment, but I lost that particular concern a long time ago. “Just thinking.”

  “Of course,” Julierudi says. “About what?”

  “Your support. And those of the others.” I look to the side, watching a few stragglers as they linger.

  There’s a group of them clustered around Catrin, chatting with her, vying for her attention. In another corner, a gentleman holds court over his own ensemble of men and women. Ali feeds me details, but I dismiss them. Handsome boy’s a socialite but a non-player. Sprawled across a divan, an older Erethran man, portly with a metal foot, lies, insensate off a concoction of toxins and boosters.

  Robots move around, picking up and cleaning the area, putting it all back together. Ali’s flying high above, floating on clouds—literally—as he chats with other Companions.

  For all that, I’m also recording Julierudi’s reaction as I speak. “I was led to believe I’d be facing more headwinds in the reestablishment of the Paladins.”

  “Oh, many aren’t happy. They remember the purges, the audits. But you’ve done nothing thus far.” She gestures toward the north. “Until tonight, that is. This, and how you and your initiates act, will see your Mana levels rise or fall.” She sniffs. “We understand the need for your Paladins. And better a group that we know than…” She shrugs. “Well, let’s just say the majority are waiting to see what we get. We do recall times when Paladins came from our ranks too.”

  “You mean when you found people who would help you nobles get your way,” I say.

  “We’re not parasites, no matter what others might tell you. Unlike your politicians, we serve the Empire. Much like those nobles of yours once did,” Julierudi says. “Noblesse oblige, was it? The improvement of our Classes, of our families and guilds, are for the betterment of the Empire. We have been the lance that pierces our enemies’ hearts from the very start.”

  “And what many enemies you have. How many active wars are you fighting now? Ernak, Giel, KuzlaMana…” I trail off, trying to remember.

  “Uswain, the Spiral Arms of Trenn,” Ali says, floating down finally. “And those are the ones that are hot right now. There’s another half dozen in abeyance, though not at peace. Never mind the other half dozen minor kingdoms which are working with your current opponents to strengthen them. Because they know they’re next.”

  “The problem with constant expansion is that everyone knows sooner or later, they’re going to be next. Which means everyone has a good reason to join together to fight you guys. If not for your espionage teams, you’d be facing a much bigger problem.”

  “I think you’re mixing my stance with Brerdain’s,” Julierudi says. “While I intend for us to win our current battles, I do not believe further expansion is in our interest at this time. Our population is somewhat more stretched than I would prefer.” She shakes her head. “We need to expand our population, consolidate our latest gains. Including our base on Earth.”

  I flash her a half-grin. That too is true. Having that space to develop has ensured the Erethrans can train a large number of their people in a Dungeon World environment. One of the other negatives of a Restricted Zone is the negative experience modifier we all face. It’s due to the System breaking down, just like in a Forbidden Zone. And just like a Forbidden Zone, the experience is banked, but to a lesser degree.

  “Not exactly true. You actually have a higher population density than ever,” Ali says. “At least on the fringe worlds.”

  “Those undesirables?” Julierudi sniffs. “They aren’t the right kind.”

  “You mean native Erethrans,” I say as Ali shoots me the data he’s picked out. It takes only a glance to tell the truth. For a galaxy-spanning empire, it’s still the native Erethrans who hold the majority of the positions at the top. Well. Except for the initiates being trained by me. Which… is interesting.

  Huh.

  Sometimes I can be a bit oblivious.

  “I meant those with the right Classes, the right heritage and training,” Julierudi says. “Those you speak of have little to contribute. Most never make it past Basic Class.”

  I grunt, deciding to stop arguing. For one thing, I don’t know enough to say if it’s a structural problem or an actual societal one. Classes matter. A bad Class mix, especially in a militaristic society like this, might be a real problem. If a race trends toward artists and entertainers, they wouldn’t do well in Erethra. Then again…

  I shake my head. “Seems simplistic.”

  “The numbers are there. If you care to look,” Julierudi says. “The military is open to everyone. Whether they take the offer or not, that is up to them. And once they’ve served their time, they are welcome to move to other planets, to find opportunity elsewhere.”

  I offer her a nod, acknowledging her point. I’m sure it’s more complicated than that, but at least I have her stance. And I know what to expect, in part at least. She won’t come after me or the initiates. Not yet. Not until I’ve shown myself to be her enemy. Or a problem.

  While I’m contemplating the future, Julierudi stands, smoothing her dress down. “I should continue circulating. There are a few others I’d love to speak with. I’ll trust you and your men to do what is best for the Empire. You might not agree with our society, with what we’ve built, but it has lasted thousands of years. Which is more than most can say.”

  As I watch her leave, I can’t help but reflect on her words. As much as I’d like to discount her words, she’s right. For all the flaws in their system, all the problems that I can see, they’ve survived. Where other empires, other kingdoms, other dynasties have fallen.

  She glides off, already turning on the charm as she meets another of her wayward guests. And I contemplate the arrogance of wanting to change an entire Empire as an outsider.

  ***

  Morning light peeks out from the horizon, slowly working its way up. I know the dawn will be on us quickly now that the sun has begun its rise. Daylight comes fast on this planet, at least this time of year. The planet’s second moon hangs overhead, glittering with sunlight. After the ball, we’d used a public Portal to hop back to Pauhiri just so that we could rest in peace. Even if the residence they’ve given me isn’t mine, we’ve taken steps to fortify its security.

  Turning from the windows—which are already darkening at my behest—I stare at my companion. Her eyes are closed, her breathing deep and even. There’s a smell coming from her body—flowery and light with that hint of nutmeg that I’ve realized is all hers. I know it’s a tech upgrade, nanites working deep within to ensure her olfactory residue is pleasant for her companion. Have to admit, it works. But her hair is disarrayed, coral ears twisted, sheets carelessly discarded with a single foot out. So different from my other companions.

  Roxley would be out of bed already, on his neural link and notification screens, working hard as he stretched out muscles. Every moment, every second packed with work and Leveling. Of course, he’d stop the moment he realized I was awake, to join me for breakfast or a meal. But he’d always have that hint of impatience as he longed to get back to work. Impatient to get back to Leveling, to rebuilding his prestige, his people that he’d once failed.

  Lana was a morning person too, but she loved lounging in bed. She’d work because she felt it was necessary, because people counted on us. But she’d do it in bed, hair disarrayed, that bountiful, curly red mop of hers splayed around the pillows. If we had any. The gods know, we spent more of our time moving from city to city, fighting monsters, than staying in a single bed. Our times together were rushed, intense… and often heart-breaking in their tenderness.

  As for Catrin, it’s lovely. She’s athletic, skilled, and willing to give time and patience. Willing to let me set the tone of our relationship, while
insisting on lazing around, sleeping in late. For all that, there’s a distance between us. One I’m not sure either of us really wants to bridge. Our time together is lovely, it’s professional, but it’s not real. What we have, it lies between a one-night stand and a relationship. And if I was the kind of person who brooded about relationships, I’d be concerned about it.

  But…

  Yeah, fine. I do, but only mildly. Too much of my mind, too much of my life is caught up in other pressures. Like the nosebleed I woke up to as my mind continued to process the library. I had to discard the pillow, store it away to hide the evidence.

  “Morning.” Catrin greets me with a smile and a quick kiss. It’s minty and fresh, unlike my own. Nanites again. But she doesn’t complain about my breath. “Admiring, or do you intend to do something about it?”

  I briefly consider but discard the idea. I have something else to ask her. “What did you think?”

  “Of?”

  “Last night. Brerdain and Julierudi. The nobles.” I gesture around. “All this.”

  “This being the initiates?” When I nod, Catrin smiles. “Are you really looking for my opinion?”

  “I have a feeling your opinion will be quite illuminating.” I open my Skill again, staring at the threads that dance across her form. Stare at the ones that reach into the palace and back into the city, the myriad numbers that fly into space. I let them fade a little from my notice so that I can more easily see the changes as she speaks.

  Catrin regards me for a moment before she sits up, pulling the blanket along with her to cover her chest. With her other hand, she nudges displaced hair back into place. “Krenmock is going to ignore you. In fact, he was working on a coalition to block your actions. I’d be surprised if he hasn’t requested additional bodyguards from the Guilds.”

  A quick mental query to Ali sets the Spirit to searching.

  “If you really are going to kill him, you also need to deal with his family.”