Annales Imperii - I. Ostiia

by Ted Mayes

  “But why, Ma…, Beth?”

  “Because they don’t want the responsibility and the work that comes with a promotion. Sometimes that works, but I know of one decurion who was promoted principales and centurion over his vehement protests.”

  “But if he didn’t want the promotion…?”

  “It was the emperor’s direct and personal orders.” Sigrid’s eyes widened, but she said nothing. “And, as for that two months since basic, I know of some individuals who were promoted to optio two weeks after basic.” Beth leaned to one side and grabbed her portfolio off the desk. “What would you say your duties were as my optio?”

  “To be your assistant, Ma…, Beth, and to follow your orders.”

  “Close, but not quite enough. Yes, you are my assistant, but when I’m not here, you’re in charge of the privates and civilians in this office. If you know what I want done in a certain matter, go ahead and take care of it. If you don’t know what to do, don’t be afraid to pass the buck to me. Regardless of what the scientists say, nothing that we deal with here is so important that it can’t wait for a day or two. What’s the purpose of our little decury here?”

  “To help the outside scientists who come here with their research.”

  “That’s what the scientists are supposed to think, but actually, it’s to be a sort of concierge service for the scientists to keep them from interfering with what the empire is doing. The empire is happy to supply them with all sorts of data and to listen to their requests and suggestions. But, as I’m sure you noticed, some of the scientists can be somewhat … demanding … and we are here to make sure that they don’t bother the more important people.”

  “Now, … do you have a portfolio?” When Sigrid shook her head, Beth went on, “I’ll see that you have one tomorrow, linked to your Freya.” When Sigrid reacted with a little start, Beth grinned. “What’s the matter, you didn’t think I knew the name of your clerk? You’ll have access to some Marine counter-intelligence, because some of our scientists are considered to be spies for their governments. Don’t worry about revealing anything to them, because we don’t really know anything – we have very little connection or access to imperial scientists. Have you been up to Capitol, yet?”

  Sigrid shook her head, looking more and more confused. “Well, it’s about time for someone to go up and check on the Copernicus station. I’ll see that you get on the Saturday morning flight up – oh, and when you get up there, take a floater out to the station. I think you’ll enjoy flying one. You’ll be able to check up on what we’ve done up there so far in the morning.”

  Beth glanced at the time. “Do you have a denarius on you?” Sigrid shook her head. “I’ll loan you one temporarily, because it’s almost the end of the day, and it’s a time-honored tradition that you should buy drinks for the decury in celebration. So let’s go out and make the announcement and everyone can get off a little early today.”

  She was in a thoughtful mood that evening, after the nightly talk with Jon. She’d told him what she’d done in promoting a new optio and he’d been supportive and enthusiastic about the actions she’d taken. They had talked for a while about the responsibilities of promoting someone in the empire and what kind of characteristics they had been told to look for. That topic of conversation had been changed by mutual consent as soon as they realized that the ‘high standards’ they were looking for had been seen in them by other people.

  One of the delightful topics was that Jon had informed her that the next scheduled flotilla for Mars had just taken off from Capitol. It was due to land at the imperial site on Mars, temporarily called ‘Landing’, unload it’s passengers and cargo, take a few days for ‘R and R’ and then head back for Earth. And Jon would be on that return flight. It would be about three weeks and he’d be home. She was thrilled and excited about that, but she did wonder about a few things.

  What was their situation going to be like when he did return? They had talked so much in the past few months that she thought she was really getting to know him – and liked everything about him. She was even getting to know him enough that she could make some good guesses about the way he’d react to events. She knew she liked being with him, and liked being physically close to him. The real question was what came next. More dating? Or was it time for her to do some hard thinking about the future?

  * * * * *

  Michael was tempted to express his frustration in one way or another. Things had been getting quieter – just the ‘usual’ crowd of people thronging Ostia and people clamoring to step up to Capitol. The emperor's plan of ‘taking a breather’ looked like it was starting to calm things down. Then an obscure imam in the Middle East had proclaimed a jihad against emperor and empire. There had been no imperial response to the statement and he had hoped that it would soon be forgotten. Unfortunately, intelligence had reported that Al-Qaeda’s judicial committee had agreed with that ruling and it now looked that attempts would actually be made on the empire.

  Tommy came into the atrium. After glancing at Michael, he strolled over and said in a soft voice, “What’s up, Mike?”

  “Just considering that jihad threat,” he said with a shrug.

  Tommy looked at him closely for a moment or two. “Why do I get the impression that you’re just considering something else?”

  “Because you have an overactive imagination?”

  “No,” Tommy said thoughtfully, “but maybe it’s because I know you so well, brother-in-law.” Michael grunted and pointedly turned to begin sorting through papers on his desk. Tommy went on. “The first few years of your life affected you more than you like to admit. Angel always had a problem with you believing that she really loved you and losing her the way you did had to make you even more skittish. Then Amanda comes along, and just when you’re figuring out how much you like her, the possibility of another conflict comes along and now you’re starting to worry about what could happen to Amanda.”

  “And just how did you decide that what … I’m ‘figuring out how much’ I like Amanda?”

  “Simple, brother-in-law. Normally you head straight for your goal, whatever it might be. But with Angel, and now with Amanda, you’re not sure what to do. And, with losing Angel, you’re starting to worry about losing Amanda.”

  Michael looked at him with no expression on his face. Then he said quietly, “I’ll get in touch with the chaplain for counseling, First.” There was a moment when neither of them made a sound. “The emperor is setting up a task force, an eximia commissio, to come up with a strategy for dealing with this jihad thing. Any comments on that decision?”

  Tommy thought briefly. “Seems a little unusual, compared with other incidents in the past.”

  “The emperor would like to have my youngsters involved, slightly, in that commission.”

  “Okay … then I would guess then it’s mostly a test for … some ..., rather than indecision on the part of the emperor.”

  “So you’re not worried?”

  “Come on, Mike, we both know how much our intelligence and defenses have improved over the last ten years – and, if nothing else, women and children would be safe at Capitol if things got troublesome here.”

  “Bringing up the subject again, Tommy?” A look was shared between the two men and Tommy shrugged. “New subject, then. How did the inspection of Ark 1 go?”

  “First impression was tremendous. It was enough like Páha Sápa that it felt like home, but different enough that it was clear there was no attempted substitution. And the tribal leaders were impressed, but curious – curious as to why they were being taken on the tour and curious about what the emperor had in mind.”

  “And you told them…?”

  “Just what you and the emperor have been saying all along – that the empire is planning a refuge, especially for endangered animals, and all that was being asked of them was their suggestions.”

  “Well, pass along any suggestions that you get. The last report said that, since the grass was growing, a s
mall amount of seeding was to take place soon – breeding pairs of bison, deer, and sheep to begin with. Then pairs of birds and small mammals. The predators, wolves, bears and lions, are to be brought in last, in a couple of years as I understand it.”

  “Once the tribal leaders talk about it, I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t have a couple of people volunteer to keep an eye on things. I know I would be interested in spending some vacation time there.”

  “You and me both. Oh, one other thing. You know Jon Harrison is going to be joining Ari here in a couple of weeks. There is one individual who goes outside on a regular basis and who may need more protection if this jihad thing actually turns into something – Miss Jordan. The emperor wants you to review the steps taken to protect her, and let me know if you think you need anything else.”

  Just then Ari Levi came into the atrium, so all Tommy said was, “Okay, I’ll take care of it.” He turned and left the room. Michael picked up a stack of reports and began looking at them as Ari was getting settled. Fleet reported the development of a new type of ship, able to carry more people comfortably between Earth and Mars. Until that program was in production, one flotilla of two squadrons would ferry people back and forth. When other means of transportation was available, one squadron would be detailed to Operation Puzzle, the other would be reassigned to Earth. Several ships were available for assignment currently, tentatively detailed for Operation Hermes. Then would come Operation Aphrodite.

  The Foreign department was quietly concerned about the threatened jihad, especially in terms of what it might mean for minority religions in the Middle East. They were requesting a preliminary study on what the imperial response might be to heightened persecution. The Urban Praetor reported on continuing attempts by various cartels to import drugs into Ostia, and new attempts by various gangs to infiltrate the empire. Specific actions were recommended for the emperor's approval.

  According to Agriculture, the farming villages at Copernicus were filling nicely, according to plan. The Mars garrison reported that several farms had been excavated there, the soil was being prepared and the seeds for the farms were part of the general cargo of the latest flotilla. Public Post reported that several tracking and/or recording devices had been part of the last cargo shipment delivered to the scientific station on the west rim of Copernicus crater – direction was requested as to whether this could in any way compromise imperial secrets, and should such devices be removed from cargo shipments? Commerce reported on the number of businesses currently at Ostia and Capitol, and the number of businesses that were requesting permission to begin operating at Capitol. The Imperial Bank reported on the number of requests for imperial coins from both private collectors and public institutions. They suggested consideration be given to a limited sale of coin sets, while at the same time refusing any bulk sales of coins.

  Michael put down the papers and glanced at the time – still too early for lunch. He glanced at Ari. “I assume you saw the latest report from the bank about the requests from coin collectors. What is your view about their suggestion?”

  “It sounded like a reasonable suggestion, but I’m a little confused about the continuing ban on ‘bulk sales’.”

  “Have you had your history course yet at the University?”

  “Next semester, Sir.”

  “Well, then I’m sure you will be given numerous examples from history of how massive inflation and economic disruption was caused by a sudden influx of money – the example I remember best is the trouble that was caused by Spain funneling all their New World treasure back into Europe.”

  “But doesn’t the emperor need ‘outside money’?”

  “The emperor has plenty of outside money available for his use. You’ll learn more about that in the future, but, for now, think about it and see if you can tell me where the emperor gets that money from what you know now and logical deduction. Changing the subject, didn’t you say that you were taking Elementary Law this semester?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “What is your opinion of imperial law so far?”

  “Right now, I would say interesting, Sir. It’s interesting that, as far as we’ve studied, crimes against property are punished by fine, rather than imprisonment. Even some of the crimes against persons are dealt with fines.”

  “As you will find, imperial law is not set in stone. Laws may certainly change in your lifetime, but for now, the emperor and his council, taking note of the number of people imprisoned by earth governments, decided to follow the old Roman practice of keeping imprisonment generally for those who are waiting to be tried, not as a punishment.”

  “May I say, Sir, that it is hard to believe that the empire has as little crime, major crime, as my professor suggests. Considering the level of crime in most countries, we are singularly fortunate.”

  “It has been theorized that at some time in the future, space may be a ‘wild West’ type frontier, but I doubt that it will ever be a real haven for criminals – the distances are too vast and the environment too deadly. Then, too, at least right now, most of the population beyond the atmosphere are selected individuals who are under military discipline. And finally, not only are people monitored by their clerks, but imperial justice, as has been shown on a number of occasions, is very quick. There is no waiting for months or years for justice.”

  “One other thing has an effect, Sir, at least according to my professor. Imperial judges, for instance you, in the case of Miss Amanda, are known to be as hard, or harder, on themselves than they are on criminals.”

  “That is something you should consider carefully, youngster. You and Jon Harrison are going to be starting a cursus, a job track, that’s going to expose you to all the branches of the imperial government. When Jon reports, you’ll both hear more about it, but something for you to think about, as you study the law, is to think about whether or not you would be able to judge law cases and pronounce sentence.”

  “Some of the lesser crimes against property present no problem, Sir, but I’m not at all sure about capital cases.”

  “You’ll have time to think about it in the future. For now, though, have we received that revised report on the attempts to smuggle drugs into the empire?” Ari reviewed the report and indicated that the Urban Praetor’s office was sure that they would be able to interdict any attempted smuggling of drugs into Ostia, but clarification was requested as to what to do with the smugglers. “For now, present the smugglers with their drugs and escort them off imperial property. If the smuggling attempts continue, and we know who is responsible, we will consider returning the drugs personally to the ones responsible.”

  “Yes, Sir. Do you want that personal delivery decided on a case-by-case basis?”

  “Yes, refer them to me, and I’ll make the final decision.” He glanced at the clock. “I’m off to lunch, and that will give you a chance to take off and get some school work done.” He thought he saw a ghost of a grin on Ari’s face.

  “Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.”

  Michael got up and collected his guards without saying anything else. It was only a short walk to the Bear’s Den, but it seemed much longer because of Tommy’s smug smile. Even so, there was plenty of time to worry about Amanda. He could certainly assume that others, including Tommy, the emperor and empress, could see that something was going on, but it wasn’t clear to him. Oh, Amanda seemed to be willing to be around him, but beyond that he seemed to have no clue.

  To his mild surprise, Amanda was waiting for him outside the Bear’s Den, staring at a ‘stuffed’ grizzly bear standing in an alcove near the door. She didn’t look around at him as he stopped beside her and said, “Good morning, Amanda.”

  “Good morning, Michael,” she said with a smile. Indicating the bear with a nod of her head, she asked, “Something new for the chain of restaurants?”

  “I suppose it is, but I knew nothing about it.” He glanced at Tommy and said, “Since you seem to have additional sources of information these days, can you tel
l me what’s going on here?”

  “As I understand it, Sir, the junior partner decided that this mathohota would be a most unique advertisement for the restaurant, especially in places where people may not comprehend what a ‘bear’s den’ might mean.”

  Michael looked closely at the bear and asked “Synthetic?”

  “Of course, Sir. From a bear scanned in Wyoming a couple of years ago, I believe.”

  Michael shrugged after a moment and gestured toward the door. “Are you ready to eat?” he asked Amanda.

  She led the way, and they were escorted to their usual table for two at the back of the restaurant, with the bodyguard seated at a large table between them and the door. “I can understand Himself ordering the bear outside, as much to tease you as to advertise the place, but ‘synthetic’?”

  Michael waited until after they’d given the waitress their order to answer. “You know how dot-matrix and inkjet printers work?” She nodded. “Well, some 8 or 9 years ago, one of the geniuses at the University got the idea of doing something similar in three dimensions with various different materials. So the fabrica was born, in the modern sense, and the operators of fabricae, the fabricator et fabricatrix, are able to construct any non-living thing that they have a detailed blueprint of. Hence, using one bear as an example, and scanning it for structure, they can reproduce almost exact non-living copies – in the case of the bear only the exterior is reproduced.”

  Amanda thought for a moment. “I suppose that those things are highly classified?”

  “Some parts of it are, but the outside will be able to do similar things in the not-too-distant future. It will be some time, though, before outside is able to match imperial computing and scanning.”

  They talked in generalities about their day. Michael informed her that the threat level was low, but staying in imperial territory was still the safest thing to do. Amanda reported that it was no problem. She was no longer a waitress, because ‘Herself’ had tasked her to inspect and evaluate the primary schools in the empire. They made small talk for a while, finishing their lunch.