by Jon Chaisson
Silence covered the table for a good few minutes while Colin and Christine both looked separate ways, avoiding Colin's smug grin. Poe avoided it by waving down a waiter to order two coffees and refills for the other two.
“Well, you certainly know how to kill a mood,” Poe said flatly.
“Actually, he's got a point,” Christine said, to their surprise. “Poe, this is precisely what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Drew pointed at himself and Colin. “I'm sorry, do you want us to...?”
“Oh, by all means stay, Drew,” she said. “I don't mind. As I was saying, if Colin here is correct, then their distraction is working out nicely. The ARU is busy working on these assault cases, and the BMPD are still working on the ones that don't look like they have any spiritual connection. The CNF and the Governor’s Special Forces haven't ruled them to be a priority yet. Everyone’s keeping it low-level on purpose.”
The waiter brought over two cups of coffee and refilled Colin's and Drew's, depositing a cream dispenser in the center of the table. Poe used the distraction to glance at Christine, wondering where she was headed with this. She glanced back, offering a quick grin. He nodded his thanks to the waiter and waited until he left before continuing.
“So you're saying the nuhm’ndah are using these events for distraction then?”
“That's it exactly,” Christine said. “History defines moments like this. An era of devastation is often preceded by any number of disconnected events with a common outcome of social breakdown.”
Poe nodded. “And with their attacks, the hrrah-sehdhyn, the Rain of Light, and everything else…you make it sound as if the return of the One of All Sacred was more than just a spiritual blessing.”
“It’s an attempt to sway fate in their direction,” she said. “And because it’s gone global, I’m sure it might be happening elsewhere. All of the Embodiments, save the first, have occurred mainly in Bridgetown or close by. And there have been similar disruptions popping up in most of the eastern coast Provinces over the last few days.”
Colin was eager to join in this conversation, but was too fascinated and awestruck to be able to come out with anything. He nodded frequently and tapped his fingers together constantly, trying to filter all of this information in one go. Colin was definitely a rookie, but at least he was a smart and attentive one.
Drew, on the other hand, had been furrowing his brow, wanting to step over her words so many times, but held himself in check because he respected her. “It's still all circumstantial,” he grumbled. “Nothing we can base a case on, Christine. It's too big.”
“Of course it is!” she countered. “That's precisely why they're doing it! We can't base a case on this, because there is no case to solve! They’re merely acting as they normally would in similar circumstances. Same as they did with the Awakening ritual, same as the Ascension. The only reason it was a case in the first place...” She skidded to a halt, suddenly realizing what she might have revealed. She avoided looking at Poe, instead shaking her head and shaking her hand in the air, as if thinking of better words to say. “Well, it became a case because at the time, the Chief Inspector’s focus was on Nehalé Usarai. Which unfortunately set the precedent of your units picking up anything even remotely related.”
Drew shook his head, still unimpressed. “The idea has merit, Christine, I'll give you that, but I can't motivate myself to get behind it. I'm still not convinced.”
“Why am I not surprised,” Colin muttered.
Poe elbowed him. “Not now, kid.”
“Regardless,” she continued. “The ARU must be well-prepared for this. We're the ones going to the front lines and working triage, whatever happens.”
Poe understood that all too well. “I'm not looking forward to that. That last one was enough for me.”
Christine cocked her head at him. “How did that end, by the way? Everyone okay?”
“A few bruises and a lot of damaged ego,” he said. “Six transports collided from energy blast waves, some heavy but localized masonry damage, and a lot of annoyed neighbors. The victim is still unconscious, and the suspect fled the scene. Caren and I got a few scrapes, nothing major, but it certainly took a hell of a lot out of us. What bothers me is that's the usual at every other reported incident since the Ascension attempt.”
Christine nodded. “More often than not, it's only one or two victims, maybe three, rarely more than that. It's not the quantity of damage, but the quality.”
“I'll talk to Chief Inspector about it when I return. I know he has enough to worry about, but I’d still like to go over it with him.” He glanced at his watch; he still time before he had to head out. “I'm ready to order. Anyone else hungry?”
“You're buying,” Christine smiled. “You owe me.”
“That I do.”
“You’ve been looking at the time since I got here. Something else up?”
He nodded quickly. “Going up to New Boston for a few days.”
“Family, or work related?” she asked. She stared straight at him without any emotion at all. The only telltale movement was the tapping of her right index finger against the table. She wanted him to poke around up there, get a few firsthand accounts before he came back.
“Bit of both,” he nodded.
“Tell your parents I said hello.” The tapping stopped.
“That I will.”
Poe leaned back in the coach seat of the land shuttle as it sped toward New Boston, his eyes closed and his mind wandering. It was nearing nine now and the shuttle had just passed the outskirts of Newyork Metroprovince, meaning in another two hours he'd be pulling into South Station in New Boston, with his brother David waiting.
Guilt passed over him as he thought of the family he hadn't visited in over two years. Even now he felt a little trepidation, knowing their relationship had always been slightly strained. He'd been adopted as a child and knew very little about his birth parents. He loved his adopted family very much, but there was always just that bit of distance between them. He knew it was his own reaction and had nothing to do with them; just like everyone else, he could not escape the feeling of not quite belonging.
This was going to be a hard couple of days.
He'd called David again just before he left his apartment for the Nullport and the land shuttle interchange. His brother had responded with great humor and excitement at hearing that little Alec was going through with this trip. Belatedly he realized he’d had both conversations on his comm rather than vidmat. He hadn't seen David or his parents for so long that he wondered how much they'd changed. Was Dad still a tall, lanky man with stooped shoulders and a slightly craned neck from his decades of writing? Was Mom still her quiet and eccentric self? And then David: the last he saw his brother, the man was as thin as Dad and going prematurely gray in the temples. He wasn’t quite sure how he’d react to seeing how much his family had aged in the last few years.
He shifted in his seat and tried to relax. Maybe getting a quick nap in would make him feel better.
The train coasted to a stop a little before eleven. He scanned the long and lonely platforms of South Station from his window, nearly empty except for a few late night travelers. David would be out there, somewhere. The dreaded moment was now here, and unexpectedly, he felt more calm than agitated. Maybe coming here wasn’t a bad thing after all. What had he really been afraid of?
Stepping out onto the platform, bags in hand, he was instantly reminded of his first early impression of New Boston in early autumn: a cool humid breeze coming off of the inner bay, tinting the air with a mix of ozone and saltwater mist.
“Alec! Over here, kid!” David's distinct accent, a cross between New Bostonian and Bridgetowner, rose above the low rumble of idling shuttle engines. He turned and saw his older brother jogging across the concrete platform. He looked surprisingly trim, even a little more muscular than the last time they'd met. He looked great. Happy, full of life.
“Dave!” Poe called out, a genuine smi
le tearing across his face. “Pashyo, it’s great to see you, eicho.”
They met halfway and fell into a tight embrace. Poe shivered; this felt right. It felt comforting. He was so convinced that some unnamed, unseen animosity would creep up the moment he arrived, something he could only sense, but there was nothing there, except love and happiness.
“Glad to see you made it, Alec,” Dave said, and turned him towards the exit into the station proper. He grabbed both of Poe's bags and hoisted them over one shoulder, putting his free arm around Poe's shoulders. “Truly...we're all glad you're here.”
Poe bristled as he felt that pang of guilt again, but said nothing. Instead he shrugged and stifled a cough. He wanted a cigarette right now, but couldn't smoke until they left the station itself. He'd have to wait. “Where are you parked?” he asked.
“Took the subway,” he said. “Easier that way. Say — you want to go for a drink first? You look like you need one.”
He laughed. “I'd love one right now.”
They left the station on foot, walking into the haze of a cool autumn night. The skyline of Downtown shot up before him, skyscrapers pulling up all around. Alnaisu Tower, New Boston's one-fifth scale version of the Mirades Tower, planted itself a little off to his right, where the old City Hall Plaza used to be. This Tower was a pearly white instead of black, and illuminated by various spotlights shining on its polycrete surface.
“I've forgotten how much I enjoy this city,” Poe said.
David shook his head at him, grinning. “We've already had that argument, Alec. But you can visit us any time.”
“Heh. I suppose you're right. So…do we have anything planned for the next few days? I mean, I do want to spend time with you all, but I might need to do a bit of quick ARU research while I'm up here.”
“Oh, by all means,” David said. “That's fine. I've got a class to teach during the day anyway, Gina's working, and the kids are in school. As long as you check in with Dee-an'-Em we'll be all set.”
“Definitely. Wouldn't take me long, anyway. They still live near the college?”
“That's where we're going, right after a chaser.”
“Excellent.”
When he finally stepped into the family house, it did truly feel like coming home. Angela Poe was there to greet them at the door, looking both teary-eyed and a little exhausted, but full of love and welcoming him with an extra tight embrace. David smiled and silently took Poe's bags and brought them inside. Poe didn't see him for the rest of the night.
“Hey, Ma,” he said, kissing her on the temple. “Good to see you.”
“My little madayin!” she cried, squeezing him again. “Come in, come in! Your father is in the living room, fast asleep I presume.”
Poe smiled and patted her on the shoulder. “Don't worry, you don't have to wake —”
“Is that Alec?” his father called out from behind his mother. Daniel Poe came scuffling groggily out into the hallway. “Alec! Welcome home, son.”
“Thanks, Dad. You look good,” he said, and he did. His father looked as tall and strong as he always did, with only a slight stoop of the shoulders. He’d aged a bit, but had not lost one bit of the energy. “Sorry I've come home so late.”
“Don’t worry about that,” he said, waving a dismissive hand at him. “I'm only sorry you can't stay longer.”
“Come on,” his mother fussed. “We've set you up in the spare room. There’s a day bed in there. It’s Danny’s study now, so it’s got vidmat access if you need it.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.” Poe followed them down the long hallway and up to the second floor. He peeked inside each room as he walked by them, remembering little insignificant things about each one...a word spoken, a song in the background, thoughts he'd had...yes, he could still feel the memory puddles here. The memories, the love.
I wonder how they'd respond to my awakened spirit.
The thought had occurred to him off and on over the last few weeks, but he'd never taken it seriously. It was front and center now, and it made him uncomfortable. He was hiding a secret from his own family, a family he'd shared nearly everything else with since he could remember. Chances were good they probably knew something about his birth parents that they'd chosen not to share, but his situation felt different. This was...
This was going to be tough.
“You're probably exhausted,” Angela said as they entered the spare room at the far end of the upstairs hallway. It was a small bedroom a little bigger than his and Caren's office, though longer and thinner. Two tall windows looked out over the side yard, the one window at the far end overlooking the driveway.
“A little bit,” he said. “Been a long day.”
“Well — don’t let us keep you up,” she said, and put a hand on his shoulder. A very soft squeeze. “It really is good to see you, Alec.”
He turned and smiled, hugged her again. “I know, Mom. It's good to be here. And Dad?”
Daniel looked up at him, tired eyes struggling to stay open. “Yeah?”
“Thanks. I mean, for calling my boss.”
His father flashed a quick smile at him. “It's worth it. Good night.”
They both watched Daniel walk out of the room. His mother turned to him, laughed to herself, and shook her head. His poor father was never much of a late night person.
“Well,” she said. “Good night. Love you, son.”
“Love you too.”
Angela gave him one of her patented sad, motherly smiles, and turned to leave. She paused for a moment, as if to ask something, thought better of it, and waved him good night again. Poe stood still, listening to her footsteps moving down the hallway until they stopped in front of the master bedroom. The latch clicked open then shut, and then there was silence. The entire house was silent.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Irritation
“She fascinates me,” Saisshalé said with a wolfish grin, sprawled in one of the office chairs, making himself completely at home.
Natianos Lehanna cocked an eyebrow at him from across the desk. In any other situation, he would have been amused, but instead he felt disgust. If Saisshalé hadn’t held back, Agent Caren Johnson would be lying in a coma at the hospital, or at least too weak and injured to be of any worth. Records had reported her in good condition, two bruised ribs, and a few abrasions. This diversion had not worked out the way he had planned. “She's supposed to be out of the picture,” Natianos growled. “Not dead or injured. You’re supposed to separate her from her sister, not kill her.”
“I fail to see your fascination with Karinna,” he said. “She's not the issue. There are plenty more Mendaihu and cho-nyhndah you should be worrying about. I do admit I was surprised at the amount of strength she had. But remember, she's an untrained Mendaihu, that's all.” He sat up and leaned forward, still smiling. “Karinna Shalei may have an important role, but not nearly as important as you may think. Trust me, she’ll be out of the picture soon enough.”
“She's the daughter of two brilliant Mendaihu sehndayen-ne,” Natianos said, attempting to keep his cool. “She's the older sister and Protector of the One of All Sacred. I would not underestimate her abilities.” Despite all efforts to ignore the man's irritating personality, his nonchalance unnerved him. He was beginning to think that calling him might have been a bad idea. So far this deity had done nothing but cause chaos.
Saisshalé let out a bored sigh. “You think I don't know that? Attacking the Protector won't do a damn thing, Dahné. It’s attacking a wasps’ nest. You'd only be making her even more pissed off. We already killed their parents, didn't we?”
Natianos bristled. “We didn't kill them,” he corrected, staring at him coldly. “I hired a Shenaihu reality seer to find potential Warriors and Protectors. The man was not supposed to kill anyone, least of all those kids or those two ARU agents. He was a rogue agent. The man was insane. I won’t have that happen again.”
“As you say, Dahné,” Saisshalé said. Natianos wasn't
sure if he was mocking him or if that was just a sarcastic attempt at subservience. “What's done is done.”
“I warn you: killing Agent Johnson, even by accident, would cause an imbalance that even you could not control. We cannot let that happen. Denysia has the ability to eradicate the boundaries here.”
“What, you think she’s willing to drive the Shenaihu to extinction?” The corner of his mouth curled up in a grin. “Please, Dahné, share your theory with me. I'd love to hear it.”
“You test my patience,” Natianos snapped. “You may be the living embodiment of a deity, Saisshalé, but you're only as strong as the faith people have in you. Don’t forget, I know who you are behind the façade.” He paused then, those words striking a thought in him. “Faith can be a very good thing. Since the Awakening, the numbers of Shenaihu known to me have grown exponentially. Most have already pledged loyalty.”
Saisshalé gave him a wilting look. “Spiritual recruitment is a hard thing, believe me. I've had my share of failures.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of a renaissance. Very much like what the Mendaihu are doing at the warehouse.”
Saisshalé's smile returned and widened into a toothy grin, and he let out a throaty laugh. “Oh, pashyo! You never cease to amaze me, Dahné. You're not thinking of crusades at all, are you? Too short of a time, right? You want the Shenaihu equivalent to the One. You really want to go that far with the balance, don’t you? One side or the other, then?”
“Not as such,” he said, waving a hand. “Create the illusion that there are sides to be chosen. Spirits don't choose whether they're Shenaihu or Mendaihu. They're created with both, and the mind and the heart chooses. It's always been up to the Gharné. There are Shenaihu who have taken up with the Mendaihu at Moulding Warehouse. There are Mendaihu down in South City, looking for the same thing. Some are cho-nyhndah. Some did not choose to be part of the Gathering.”
