Annales Imperii - I. Ostiia
Page 53
She nodded and he continued. “Third, we’re doing the best we can to keep things quiet. We never say how things work – in fact, Michael has gotten pretty good at dodging around even admitting what imperial technology does. Research is carried on only in the Museum and even there we use Latin words in new ways to discuss things that outsiders have no concept of – like using similes of sailing ships, currents, and reefs to discuss manipulation of the gravity field.”
“Even using the term ‘Museum’ is a disguise. Only a few in Imperial service hear the word. If someone heard the term, normally they would think of a place for people to visit and look at various displays. Very few would connect it to a 2,000 year old Alexandrian think-tank. And, there’s a ‘secret’ section of Marine intelligence that only spies on ‘locations of scientific research.’ They’re as sure as they can be that we’re not going to be surprised by any scientific discoveries ‘outside.’”
“So you’re certain there won’t be any problems for our kids.”
“Sweetheart, I don’t have that much control over the future. As far as I can see, the empire will be able to continue as it has for the last few years. What God has in store for us and for the kids, though, is up to Him, not me.”
“Well, then,” she said, rising, “we’ll just have to pray and work on our vocations. Speaking of which,” she said, bending over to give him a kiss, and then pulling him to his feet, “I have to go clean up after breakfast, and you need to go shave.”