Empress of Eternity

by L. E. Modesitt

  At that moment, the server arrived with their meals.

  Over the rest of lunch Maertyn steered the conversation away from specifics, and Amirella was kind enough not to object. They went their separate ways from the salon, and Maertyn wondered exactly why she’d asked for him to take her to lunch. He’d have to keep that in mind while he was in Caelaarn.

  All too soon, it approached two in the afternoon, and Maertyn made his way back to the minister’s conference room with the long table that could seat close to thirty. When he entered, he smiled politely as he tallied those present—a “mere” sixteen, without Hlaansk.

  “It’s good to see you, Maertyn,” offered Daelaz Cuivot, the Assistant Minister for Transportation Research. “Is it as cold as they say up there?”

  “Colder…especially when the icebergs are calving and they drift south. Or when the deep winter winds blow.” Maertyn set the portfolio he would not need in front of the empty chair at the foot of the table, the space always reserved for the one doing the briefing, but he did not seat himself, knowing what would come next.

  As he expected, the side door from the minister’s suite opened, and Hlaansk stepped into the room, nodded to all those at the table, and seated himself at the end with his back to the west window, darkened to reduce the light and glare coming into the room. Then he looked toward Maertyn. “If you would begin, Lord Maertyn?”

  “Thank you, Minister.” Maertyn paused for a moment, then raised his voice. “For those of you who have not read the initial précis of the project and for those of you who have been so inundated by the demands of your own responsibilities that your recollections may have blurred, I’ll summarize the rationale for the project. Analysis of current and historic temperature reports and scattered observations over more than a century before systematic reporting indicated that the temperature around the midcontinent canal was never as extreme as in the adjoining areas. More intriguing was the fact that the surface temperature of the stone never varied regardless of the intensity of solar radiation or the lack of such during the depth of winter…”

  From there Maertyn went on to describe his initial baseline research, which included localized directed laser and high-energy bombardment of the stone in contained areas, as well as temperature and pressure reductions in the air or in other substances in direct contact with the stone. “…not only was the surface totally unmarred by these, but there was never any variation in surface temperature, even for milliseconds. After confirming these facts, the project moved into the second phase…the investigation of possible control and temperature stabilization methodologies…”

  After speaking technically, and slightly elliptically, several minutes more, he finished quickly. “…and that is where the project stands at this moment.” Maertyn inclined his head. “I’ll be happy to take any questions.” He wasn’t all that pleased to take questions, suspecting what might well be coming, but there wasn’t any help for that.

  Vergena Stett, the Deputy Assistant Minister for Research Applications, whom Maertyn recalled as an anal nitpicking scientocrat, smiled brightly and said, “As I understand it, Deputy Assistant Minister, your original proposal was to determine whether the specific properties of the midcontinent canal did in fact retard or eliminate the purported advancement of glaciation and, if that could be demonstrated, whether there was any way to replicate that effect. Is that a fair statement of the goals of your research?”

  “That was what I offered a few minutes ago. Your restatement is a fair summary,” Maertyn admitted.

  “That’s all you have to say?”

  Hlaansk frowned, but did not speak.

  “Those were essentially the goals I advanced.”

  “I may be missing a critical point here, Deputy Assistant Minister,” persisted Stett, “but if the point of the research is to find ways to duplicate the effect of the midcontinent canal, why has the focus of your research shifted from that to the purported control systems, when, so far as you have indicated, there is no linkage between the control systems in the station and the properties of the canal itself?”

  “I apologize, Deputy Assistant Minister Stett. I had thought the linkage was explicit. By the fact that the material comprising the station is the same material comprising the canal and by the fact that it responds to human intent, and only to a limited human intent, it appears highly likely that the same control mechanisms apply to both. Since the material cannot be moved or manipulated—except through those controls—it would appear that the key to duplicating and using the properties of the canal lies in mastering the control systems.”

  “How likely is your research to discover the basis of the system?” That question came from Alaser Fancoyn, the Assistant Minister for Protective Services Research.

  Maertyn allowed a wry smile to cross his face. “If I knew the answer to that question, Assistant Minister, we’d be more into application than research. So far as I’ve been able to determine, no earlier research has actually separated human touch from human intent. That is promising. That’s all I can say at this point.”

  A flurry of questions followed.

  “Assuming you indeed discover the basis of this so-called effect, wouldn’t the wide-scale implementation have disturbing environmental effects?”

  “Aren’t you concerned that, if you are successful, you may change the properties of the canal and create other difficulties, either geologically or climatically?”

  “Your description of your next steps was sketchy at best, to say the least. Could you give a more detailed description of how you plan to proceed from here?”

  “Have you been able to measure or discern any radiation or form of signaling from within the canal structure or the station that suggests how the station measures, as you call it, ‘intent’?”

  “While your findings are certainly the most detailed involving the canal, and indeed fascinating, are the goals of this project not rather fanciful and far-reaching?”

  “Do you honestly believe this is a worthwhile expenditure of Unity funds at a time of financial hardship?”

  After another twenty-five minutes, Minister Hlaansk rose. “I think we’re seeing rephrasing of questions that Deputy Assistant Minister Maertyn has already addressed. I thank all of you for coming and for your insightful questions.”

  As the others rose to leave, Hlaansk gave a quick sharp look to Maertyn that indicated he was to wait until the others had departed.

  As he stood nodding and smiling as the room emptied, Maertyn considered the briefing. He’d managed to avoid making any major errors—he thought. More than a few of the pointed questions had come from Stett, and there hadn’t been what Maertyn could have called a scientific consistency behind any of them, but a political agenda that suggested they had been drafted almost more by someone working for the Ministry of Environment…or the Ministry of Protective Services.

  Once he was alone in the conference room with the Minister of Science, Hlaansk nodded. “Very well handled, Maertyn.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “There is one other matter I wished to discuss with you.”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Since you are already here in Caelaarn, I’ve requested that Josef tour the other science universities, especially the two in Occidenta, and those in Galawon as well. You’ll be acting Assistant Minister for Environment Research in his absence. That shouldn’t hamper your research, since it’s not as though that equipment you requested will reach the station immediately, either. I also must say that it was truly a shame Josef couldn’t have been here to view your presentation. Quite masterful, I might add, especially in dealing with the environmentally slanted inquiries. I understand your concern about your wife, but I’m certain that, under the circumstances, she won’t begrudge us your expertise for another few weeks.”

  “I’m most certain that she will understand, sir. She’s always been most supportive.”

  “And you, I know, have done far, far more than anyone could ever as
k, even of the most devoted husband, in her cause.” Hlaansk offered a warm and sympathetic smile.

  “I’ve always done what I thought best, sir, for her, and for the Ministry, and the Unity,” replied Maertyn.

  Hlaansk nodded. “I’m certain that you have, and I look forward to your oversight of Environment Research in the next few weeks and any recommendations you might make for improvement. It’s always good to have a different perspective.” Another smile followed. “We’ll have to have lunch sometime next week.” With that, the minister left through the side door into his suite.

  Maertyn picked up the portfolio he had never opened and then walked back toward the front of the Ministry building. He strongly doubted that the half-proffered luncheon invitation would actually be forthcoming.

  Hlaansk had accomplished three objectives with his last decision: punishing Josef for avoiding Maertyn’s research briefing, suggesting potential irregularities within Environment Research and forcing Maertyn to look into those possibilities, and reminding Maertyn that his entire project and Maarlyna were at Hlaansk’s suffrage.

  Maertyn didn’t see matters getting any easier…or better. Nor did he see any alternatives…unless he could discover something truly unusual about the canal, and he was enough of a realist to suspect that was most unlikely. Still…with the additional equipment, it was theoretically possible.

  20

  29 Quad 2471 R.E.

  Fourday began without any communications from Apialor, or anywhere else. Fearing the worst, based on Rhyana’s reports and both his and Faelyna’s reading of the delivery woman, Eltyn decided the only way to deal with anyone from The Twenty, presuming that they didn’t arrive in great force, was simply to capture or remove them. Neither Rhyana nor Faelyna disagreed. The three of them effectively faced losing their intelligence, if not their minds…or their lives.

  Before more than a moderate number of inspectors showed up, Eltyn and Faelyna—mostly Faelyna—needed to master the command structure in order to keep outsiders from opening doors or windows. The stone would stand against anything in the Ruche arsenal. If large forces camped around the station, that was another question. In the meantime, he moved their weapons, power packs, and ammunition to the upper level, next to the “window” overlooking the south entrance. Then he went back to work.

  During a moment when Faelyna stopped to take a brief break, in early afternoon, he pulsed, Possible duplication of shadow-tracking?

  Possible. Need to restructure detector and build equivalent of transmitter.

  Interrogative schematics?

  Blue-orange folder [here].

  Eltyn studied the details for close to half an hour. If he substituted here…but changed the power flows there…He nodded, then pulsed Faelyna. Possible alternative transmitter.

  ??????

  [here] He expanded the rough virtie diagram.

  For several minutes Faelyna studied his proposal. Approach should work…Total one-time power draw? System capacity?

  Eltyn considered. She was right. Spare storage discharge capacitors? Banked there…surge draw??

  [cautious approval]

  I’ll begin work. Eltyn headed for the storeroom.

  After a good two hours of digging and organizing, he proved that the inventory was accurate. His memory was not, and that meant developing a work-around for the control circuits handling the surge power required. Still, he was well on the way to solving that problem when he finally had to give up from fatigue that evening and collapse into a thankfully dreamless sleep.

  Fiveday did not begin in nearly so accommodating a fashion as fourday had.

  Before eight in the morning, another priority comm blast shivered in. All local installations on both sides of the midcontinent canal will be inspected in the next several days. The inspectors are fully authorized agents of the Ruche, acting with the full authority of The Twenty. These inspections are merely to assure compliance with power requirements and continued loyalty to the Ruche so that the proprieties of social order and structure are maintained. Once these formalities are concluded, the process of returning to normal activities will resume. No changes in operations are planned at this time.

  Eltyn’s lips quirked. No changes in operations, but what about changes in operators…or their minds? They’re not mentioning other apparently permanent changes. MetCom and the satellites are still down.

  Permanently down. Probability = unity3.

  How did RF manage it?

  The Ruche is based on unity and security. The Fifty wasn’t successful enough in fostering a sense of security, not with the sand covering most of the south half of Primia, and temperatures rising every year. TechOversight viewed as too liberal.

  Too liberal?

  Too open to nontraditional approaches.

  Force-conditioning the most intelligent will provide solutions and security?

  Punishment for failing to provide. [ironic laughter]

  “What is it?” interrupted Rhyana, standing at the top of the ramp. “Begging your pardons, but I don’t know what that buzzing meant.”

  “It means that, fairly soon, The Twenty will be sending inspectors out here.”

  “They’ll get in over my corpse.”

  “Over all of our corpses,” Eltyn agreed. “We’re not exactly in the best of graces with The Twenty.”

  “All that fancy gear going to help?”

  “It won’t be finished before the first inspectors arrive,” Eltyn said. “It might be ready in time for the second group…if we can handle the first.”

  Optimist5!

  Agreed…Why not?

  Faelyna smiled.

  “I’ll be doing my part,” stated the delivery woman.

  Eltyn managed to finish his control-circuit work-around in the next hour and was assembling the power banks when the local alert system buzzed.

  Transport wheeler approaching. Distance four kays. Arrival time in six minutes and fifteen seconds.

  Eltyn immediately virtie-linked to the local system, taking in the composite view of the dark gray vehicle from the system’s scanners.

  Speed and wheeler depression suggest five individuals, plus or minus one, given cargo, added the system.

  ????? inquired Faelyna.

  As planned. “Rhyana!” Eltyn yelled, having the internal system sound-cast his words inside the station. “Up to the upper-level south side!”

  Faelyna remained on the main level, with one of the stunners, to cover the doors, since the upper window wouldn’t open wide enough to allow three people space to fire accurately. Also, that position provided her with a quick exit from the station on the canal side, either for escape or for a rear attack on the RF enforcers.

  Behind the upper window, still closed, Eltyn continued to virtie-monitor the approach of the heavy-duty wheeler, as did Faelyna from the main level.

  Eltyn glanced to Rhyana. “When the window opens they’ll be below us, some five yards out.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  The vehicle stopped short of the east end of the station. For a time, nothing happened. Then six individuals, all in gray-blue uniform singlesuits, stepped out of the wheeler. Each wore a crimson shoulder patch with the intertwined letters “RF.” All carried long stunners, discharge barrels slightly down.

  RF uniforms, pulsed Faelyna.

  Thought they just wore those for ceremony. Humble servants of The Fifty, they called themselves. [snort]

  Eltyn waited until the six were closer, then murmured, “Ready,” and touched the window, willing it to open wide.

  Before he could even squeeze the firing stud on the projectile rifle, Rhyana had fired twice, and one of the “inspectors” had dropped. Eltyn fired, and one of the men staggered. He fired again, and the man dropped.

  Eltyn could sense Faelyna hurrying out of the canal-side door. He didn’t like her exposing herself, but he was in no position to do anything about it.

  Rhyana fired twice more, and another inspector—a woman—toppled.r />
  “Back to the wheeler!”

  The man who had given the order turned and ran almost ten yards back toward the dark gray vehicle before falling—dropped by Faelyna’s stunner.

  The other two inspectors darted back, then turned and sprinted almost due south, heading toward a low dune. Beyond them, he could see the black shimmering pools that were but heat mirages.

  Eltyn didn’t fire again. He doubted he could hit anyone at that distance, and they didn’t have that much ammunition. Besides, the two RF inspectors were angling back toward the canal, but in a way that suggested they weren’t about to return to the station. Not soon, and not without reinforcements.

  Eltyn had his doubts about whether the pair could make the more than sixty kays to Apialor on foot in the heat, the wind, and especially if a sandstorm came up in the next day or so. He watched for a moment, then keyed a command into the local net to inform him of any movement approaching the station. Only then did he turn from the window and head down toward the south door. He did switch magazines, as did Rhyana, before he opened the door.

  Three figures in RF uniforms were dead. That left the one Faelyna stood watching.

  “He’ll be out for hours.”

  “We’ll need to make sure he’s firmly restrained.”

  “I can take care of that,” announced Rhyana. “Take care of it good.”

  “You took care of most of them already,” Eltyn said.

  “I had to. They’re the ones who were turning poor Kealyn into little more ’n dribbling mal-brain. That one there was, anyway.” She pointed to the body of a slightly taller man with skin a shade darker than either Eltyn’s or Faelyna’s.

  “What do we do with their vehicle?” Rhyana paused. “I suppose it doesn’t matter. Satellites have probably picked it up already.”

  “Not necessarily,” replied Eltyn. “The sat-links seem to be down. They’ll have minidrones coming this way, if they aren’t already. Can you camouflage it?”

  “I’ll see what I can do, after I take care of His Mighty Rucheness here, and the bodies. You two need to get back to what you were doing. You let me know if anyone’s coming? Or if any of those RF types head back here?”