“Well it certainly looks intimidating - and just a bit arousing…”
Torv grabbed her arm tight and squeezed. She spoke through gritted teeth. “My advice to you Biyu is that it is no light matter - killing. I hesitated. A little lower and the slash would have opened my throat. Do you understand? All our training means nothing. Violence here is chaotic, instinctive, animal.” She held Biyu’s gaze. “So my advice is simple. Never give them the chance to kill you, because if you hesitate, they certainly will not. Be quick and be decisive.”
“I’m not even sure it’ll come to that. Our mission is diplomatic…”
Torv let go of her arm. “I am aware of the mission parameters. I am also aware of the reality. Violence is inevitable. Now that I am a strategos I must take the long view. That involves understanding the global situation and preparing an army to meet each need, both defensive and offensive. The Northern States control key trade routes through the Arctic Circle. Once they are secured we can begin to assess the situation in Scandinavia and Europe.”
Biyu nodded. “That is years away…”
“The planning starts now Biyu. Tshentso doesn’t just calculate all the possible moves for just one chess game. She plans them for every conceivable chess game. It is true that our immediate concerns are securing the Republic’s western borders. Now that we have established a foothold, Eden has agreed to send a platoon. They will be based in the Gangetic plain to defend the mechs and thera when they start to arrive. The Republic has secured a treaty with both the Mongolians and the Southern Chinese Tien dynasty. In a few days time I will leave with my platoon to inspect and train a Mongolian division. I want you to understand that once winter has passed the Mongolians will attack the Pashtun and their allies. When that threat has been neutralised, the Mongolians will turn their attention north…”
“A pincer movement on western Russia?”
“Eventually, long term, yes, along multiple fronts: the northern arm west around the circle via Alaska and east via Scandinavia.” She used two hands to connect a circle. “And then another push up through Central Asia. Tshentso has outlined the policy. One step at a time: control, consolidate, renew; control, consolidate, renew. In most cases the local populations will welcome stability and the rebuilding of their societies, welcome our technology and expertise. Many regions are struggling at subsistence level, preyed on by feudal warlords. The population are not the problem; it is the elites that rule them that are the problem. We thought we might be able to reason with the leaders, but it seems they will not let go of power and privilege just on the basis of a rational argument. In most cases they will have to be removed, their tight grips prised open. There is always an ambitious replacement prepared to cooperate with us in exchange for an advantage. It seems we will have to play the old game of bribery and favouritism. Once the obstacles have been removed and the society stabilised, those societies will provide the human resources for the next strategic move.”
“And the Chinese?”
“There has been intermittent trade with the Southern Chinese ever since the collapse. The problem has been banditry and piracy. This treaty formalises the arrangement and guarantees cooperation in policing the main trade routes. We have agreed to provide defenders to clear out the bandits and make travel safe. We are very well suited to jungle warfare. I envisage it will take six months or so. The alliance with the Tien dynasty is vital in gaining the cooperation of the weaker city-states and smaller kingdoms of South East Asia: the Bamar, Khmer, Hmong, Viets, Thai, Lao, Saek and Nyaw. Most of these configurations are semi-Buddhist anyway and quite amenable to cooperation.”
“The first trade delegation from the NS came through Viet territory into Tien China if I remember?”
“Yes, by following the coast from Alaska down through the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Kuril Islands and Japan, and only after narrowly avoiding pirates and bandits. The Tien have a primitive navy and the merchants have pressured the government to crack down on piracy, especially in the Sea of Japan. In time we should be able to secure the seaways right along the coast, all in the name of trade.”
“Thus securing the sea route to the Arctic and allowing a pincer move on the northern Chinese?”
“Yes, on three fronts.”
“And once we have controlled the northern hemisphere…”
“The northern hemisphere contains the major centres of military power. Once they have been secured the south should follow.”
“It will take a century or more.”
“Perhaps quicker than that, within fifty years. Those pockets of resistance that remain will be unlikely to pose a threat and will be left alone. We can’t control the entire planet. Once we create a critical mass they will eventually seek to cooperate anyway. Tshentso is hopeful that once people understand the benefits of working with us they will convert very quickly. In fact she expects there to be a wave of immigration to the Republic. That’s why she wants to restore the Gangetic plain and Nalanda, to create employment and stimulate the economy. There is historical precedence for this. Ideas can catch fire very quickly if the conditions are right, and especially if the new order brings increased safety and abundance. We don’t need to conquer every group, just the key strategic interests. We need to make sure the people who want to participate in operation rescue can get to us, that’s all.”
“By opening up trade and migration routes?”
“Then pressing local rulers to allow freedom of movement.”
Biyu nodded that she understood, familiar with the idea that most people converted to new beliefs provided they created a stable political system that delivered material benefits, not because they necessarily believed in the new doctrine. “And I assume that in telling me this, you want me to directly feed you intelligence on the political/military balance in the Northern States and the Americas, independently of the official reports back to Eden?”
“I may have to act quickly. I have the authority to act on my own in most circumstances. We will have to establish secure processing centres, small cities in essence, with clinics, schools, housing, employment - in strategic locations around the globe. Those wishing to settle on new worlds can’t all be expected to travel here to the Republic. Unfortunately the Americas seem to be a very complex and volatile region. There is a deep vein of religious fanaticism running through the entire continent, probably more so than in Central Asia and Arabia. We need to find out who the strategic linchpins are; find their weaknesses. And I wouldn’t trust this Robert Wolf either. You will have to determine if he is the type of warlord that needs to be removed and replaced with someone more agreeable.”
“And do it myself? Is Tshentso aware of your thinking on this?”
“We have discussed it. She prefers to be optimistic. I prefer to be pessimistic.”
“And where do Prax and Nuku fit in this revised plan?”
“Prax must take the optimistic, diplomatic position of course. He will formulate treaties, play politics. Nuku will remain neutral. She is there to assess the state of science and the environment. Ultimately Prax may agree with eliminating Wolf, but if he doesn’t, I am authorising you to act as you see fit. In this sense your mission has expanded from protecting Prax and Nuku to initiating offensive action.”
“Without backup?”
“Not immediately… You will have full control of Saphira of course. She has some offensive capacity, a couple of darts in storage, a supply of weapons and explosives, but you know the manifest as well as I. Consider that she may be more useful as a psychological weapon, your own personal dragon. She will either impress or terrify the less developed humans. She’ll stay in geosynchronous orbit and you’ll be able to communicate with her using normal electromagnetic signals. It’s going to take us a few years to set a network of satellites and a fully functioning void system, which means there are limitations. Cloud cover and electrical storms can interfere with electromagnetic spectrum communication systems, radio waves, infrared, visible light and so forth. Ther
e will be times when you will be effectively on your own. In the initial phase you’ll be restricted to making a strategic assessment before acting. Any offensive action will have to be small scale and limited to your immediate capabilities. However, if you can convince me there is an urgent need, I can allocate some armaments and perhaps one of the new units, or call in support from specialists on Eden. You also have the option of sending Saphira back to Eden for an offensive refit, but that may put her completely out of reach for a few weeks. So, until we can build an indigenous army here - our main priority - resources will be stretched. You may have to create your own militia from amongst the locals using local weapons. I understand Terrans still value metals like gold and silver and Eden certainly has more than enough to pay for several mercenary armies.”
“And ideally, how long should this take?”
“Sooner rather than later… As long as it takes if that makes sense. Speed can be a strategic advantage, catch them by surprise. We don’t want to get bogged down. There are still too many unknowns. So all tactical and strategic decisions will be yours to make, provided it fits within the general framework I’ve outlined. If it seems too difficult, a strategic withdrawal is always an option, but knowing how much you like a challenge…”
“In which case your advice remains…”
“Don’t hesitate. If you make a mistake and kill an innocent person then at least you will still be alive to regret your mistake. Hesitate and you could end up dead, without the luxury of regret.”
Biyu pursed her lips and nodded. There wasn’t much more to say. It was old-fashioned espionage and strategic assassination: very dangerous, but absolutely necessary if they were to have any chance of extending operation rescue to the Americas. “So tell me, how do you counteract the stress? Killing must shock the system?”
Torv nodded grimly. “I worry about becoming jaded. How many will I have to kill before I reach the point where it becomes easy? Being around Tshentso helps. She understands what she asks of us. Just looking into her eyes can alter the balance of neurochemicals; kick you from alpha to theta in no time. Otherwise I have discovered a love of horses. We have no higher order animals on Eden. It seems strange but it’s like I missed them, it’s like a genetic memory. I find them very familiar and calming.”
“The Mongolians are noted horse riders aren’t they?”
“Yes, dating way back to the Neolithic. They may have been amongst the first to tame wild horses. I’m looking forward to my visit and I’ve heard Mongolian girls are enthusiastic lovers.”
Biyu laughed. “So, horses and a harem? We might never get you home.”
Torv smiled. “I’m not sure I want to return. It seems too safe and dull now that there are new worlds to explore. Maybe we’ll find a planet of endless pastures and I can breed horses, improve the species, increase their strength and speed, boost their intelligence, realise their full genetic potential. Maybe turn myself into a centaur.”
Prax tried to smile as sincerely as possible at the old woman, but all he felt was pity. She was staring at him with a mixture of curiosity and fear, her hands placed together in supplication. She was old, her weathered face covered in deep wrinkles, a wisp of grey hair on her chin, her body covered in dirty rags with yak fur trimmings. Her plaintive smile revealed she had no teeth and her eyes were dull, revealing a mind struggling to understand. She kept repeating the word, “Yavana, Yavana.”
Prime Minister Gyaltsen came up beside him and spoke gently to the woman, taking her hands in hers and stroking them. The woman bowed and shuffled away. She turned to Prax, “So, it seems history repeats itself and the Yavana have returned.”
Prax tilted his head, puzzled by a word he did not recognise.
“Your name is Praxiteles, which is a Yavana name. In Sanskrit the Greeks are known as the Yavana. There is a belief that the coming of the Yavana stimulated the Golden Age of Buddhism. Are you familiar with the history?”
“Ah, I see. A little. Alexander the Great created the Bactrian empire…”
“Indeed, and the Greek ruler Menander the First converted to Buddhism. The Indo-Greek Empire may not have lasted long but it had a significant cultural impact on the region. Were you aware that the robes of Buddhist monks are derived from Yavani clothing just like your toga?”
It was small talk but he had a feeling she was leading up to making an important point. “I seem to recall hearing something like that.”
“I also understand you were studying philosophy. Some have argued that the great vehicle, Mahayana, was stimulated by Greek skepsis, critical inquiry. You are a member of the Spanda order are you not, which the Kumari tells me is a synthesis of Epicurean philosophy and Kashmiri tantra?”
He nodded.
“You see, the Bactrian provinces of Taxila and Sakala bordered Kashmir. In fact the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, Padmasambhava, was born in Taxila, in what is now known as the Swat valley.”
“Ah I see, and so through your lineage you also have a distant connection to Kashmir?” he asked, starting to guess where the conversation was heading.
She nodded and smiled, her eyes twinkling with delight that he had guessed. “From a valley close to the border with old Taxila… It is not hard to imagine that sometime in the distant past a boy from Taxila met a girl from the next valley. Formal borders did not exist as we know them now.”
“And was this always part of the grander plan, to reinstate the old Buddhist Empire of Bactria?”
She gave a mischievous smile. “Not in the sense of gaining territory and commandeering its wealth. More in the sense of spreading the seeds of civilisation. What makes us civilised? What turns us into barbarians?”
He searched her eyes for the subtle look that suggested she was either asking him to answer or was merely asking a rhetorical question. He decided it was rhetorical and tilted his head to indicate he was willing to entertain her conversational game.
“Civilisations ask questions. They tolerate uncertainty and encourage inquiry, exploration and creativity. They expand their horizons. If they gain territory it is because they go out and explore, but the real expansion happens in the mind.” She tapped her skull to emphasise her point. “They develop complex cultures, invent languages and writing, develop mathematics, they look to the stars and wonder.”
“And the barbarian?”
“Protects the territory they know. They are afraid of questions, afraid of the people in the next valley. They hold onto fixed ideas and superstitions. They are closed to novelty. New people and new ideas are treated as enemies.” She gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Well, at least that’s the grand plan. In the truth the real plan is far more modest, simply to preserve the authentic tradition from the attacks of the barbarians. It hasn’t been easy, touch and go really. I will be happy if we are able to honour Padmasambhava in the place he was born. But you also ought to be pleased?”
He furrowed his brow. “How so?”
“Because it is the spiritual home of your order, the Spanda. Something interesting happened way back then, some interesting fusion of ideas that gave rise to the tantric tradition. I like to think there are still fragments of documents or the ruins of some ancient temple that might provide some further insight. Once we have reclaimed the area I plan to initiate a proper archaeological survey, assuming the barbarian Muslims haven’t destroyed all the temples. The Kumari has suggested Edenoi satellite technology can assist. Perhaps after you have fulfilled your duty you might visit the area? Who knows, perhaps one day the Spanda will build a retreat there and name it after Akash. I think he would have liked that.”
He was intrigued by the idea and immediately had a vision of a magnificent temple sitting in a verdant valley. He had imagined that after his mission to the NS he would return to Eden, but the Prime Minister had just seeded an idea that might just encourage him to stay.
He found the reaction of the Chinese ambassador the most interesting. He sat rigidly beside Torv, unable to look at her directly, afraid t
o look at her breasts. He was from a powerful family of mandarins, conservative Confucians. It appeared that Tshentso had wanted to send him a clear message - you accept us on our terms. His guess was that the ambassador represented a powerful, opposing faction in the Tien dynasty and this was a form of humiliation, a reminder that the agreement required his complete surrender to the inevitability of history. Of course, such a move could backfire and encourage him to plot against the agreement. In which case, he would be watched very carefully in the hope he would draw out the other malcontents. Perhaps this was Tshentso’s real purpose, to use him as lure. But Prax sensed a deeper resignation, a recognition that the time for subplots was over and his only recourse was to salvage as much dignity and advantage for his faction as possible. It was also clear Torv understood all this because she was making no concession to his obvious discomfort.
The Mongolians had been much more amenable because of their close cultural and ethnic links to Tibet. The temporary defeat of the Pashtun had halted raids into southwest Mongolia, which would allow them to concentrate on controlling the tribes to the north in the Altai mountains; a task they seemed quite happy to accomplish on behalf of the new alliance (and to settle some ancient historical scores). They could also be called on to place pressure on the northern Chinese dynasties. In time, the elites would realise the strategic tide had turned and, unable to gain access to the growing wealth of the south by war, would gradually acquiesce to treaties and assimilation, but that was a process that would take years.
“The process of cultural change is complex and subtle,” said Tshentso as she carefully sipped her tea. “It needs events that can act as markers, so they can better enter the cultural memory. I think the ancients understood the importance of ritual and ceremony, both as a mnemonic device and to aid social cohesion. Until we can boost the base IQ level, we will have to employ the basic techniques of social control.”
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