Sunstone: A Steampunk Reality

by Holly Barbo

  “Really, Mother! Where are your manners? You’re interrupting a meeting.”

  Ver’in gave a brisk nod. “It’s good to have you two together.” She locked the door. “Can’t have anyone disturbing us.”

  Dan’l choked on his drink and put it down before he could spill it. “Grandmother, you are incorrigible!”

  Raj’t made a small sound of disgust. “Yes, though I must say it isn’t a charming trait. Why are you here, Mother?”

  “For the same reason I was here before. You didn’t answer me then so I have looked for information myself. Now I’m back to ask you again: Did you, by direction or intent, start this illness they are calling The Blight? Did you or Chemedco have anything to do with it?”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dan’l startle before casually picking up his chilled drink. The ice cubes in the glass tinked as he took a swallow. He moved to stand behind his father, where the wine carafe stood on a small table.

  Raj’t snarled. “I answered you before. We’re the good guys working on the cure for that awful illness.”

  The woman lifted her chin and stared down at him. Her regal mien had not diminished at all by the fact that her son and grandson stood well over a head taller than her. “Yes, you told me that Chemedco was working on the cure. I looked into some things. There are records that the company was working on the cure before there was an illness.” She cocked one eyebrow and observed both men.

  Noticing Dan’l wasn’t meeting her eyes, she concentrated on Raj’t but this time changed gears in the conversation. “Do you love Sh’ar? Is her happiness important to you? Do you care enough that it overcomes the greed that drives you?”

  Raj’t held her stare but didn’t answer.

  Her voice dropped so both men had to concentrate to hear her words. “William is very ill. He came down with The Blight within days of Petal Day. I checked with the hospitals and their wards are filled to overflowing with people who have contracted the disease. It’s killing hundreds now and if a cure isn’t found that number will grow. Chemedco started this and they can’t end it. Are you denying what I’ve said, Raj’t? Are you denying you started this?”

  Silence roared from the corners of the room. The eyes of mother and son clashed through the stillness.

  “Go home, Mother. I run Chemedco. I believe your office needs to be renovated so there will be no place for you here. Thank you so much for dropping by and giving me the latest family news. William is a nice young man. I hope he makes it.”

  Ver’in nodded. “Yes. That makes it easier. Thank you.” And she turned and left the room.

  As soon as she had left, Dan’l finished his drink then fixed another. “Well, that was intense. It’s interesting to actually witness the accuracy of my research.” He sat down in front of Raj’t. “The probables had placed her on the list of leveling influences and respected voices of reason. Those people are dangerous to us because we can’t control them. It could be unwise to turn her out of her office. When she is here, we can keep an eye on her.”

  Raj’t sighed. “She’s always been able to push my buttons. That was my anger getting the best of me. But I can’t have her here making a fuss all the time. Too bad she found the lab notes about when they started the research for the cure. We still can deny the accuracy of the date. Simple clerical error.” He got up and wandered to the window. “I’m a business man. I watch my investments. This disease isn’t personal. Nobody who matters will die. It’s a calculated venture. The number who have become ill are more than we anticipated, but that will just mean that the demand will be greater when we get the medicine developed. We’ll realize more profit than we anticipated and come out with huge social credit as the saviors of our world!” He turned and looked at his son. “As for Mother… when there is something that is not contributing to the positive side of the ledger, I cut it out. She needed to be separated from Chemedco and learn her place.”

  The CEO returned to his desk. “Now back to what we were talking about. I need to hear Stone’s report. I’m not sure that he’s completely in control. Having you relay his progress is inadequate. This is not your shortcoming. He has been avoiding me and that leads me to believe he’s stepped away from the intent of his instructions. What I’d like you to do is get him here. I’d prefer him willing, but I want to talk with him however it is done.”

  Dan’l looked at the chilled wine in his glass. “Okay. I’m on it. I should be able to track him down and get him here today.” Swallowing the last drops of wine, he set the glass down with a decisive thunk. “I miss the coolness of the last twi-days. This mugginess seems to suffocate. Thanks for the refreshment.”

  Ver’in hadn’t thought Raj’t would be that high handed… and stupid, but she had been prepared for that contingency for quite some time. While he finished his conversation with Dan’l, she hurried back to her office. Locking the door, she walked to her small navorite display. This one was not a real fossil—that she kept at home—but the copy was a good one and it was soothing to have it near. She tapped a beat on the stand and a hidden nook was revealed. M’nacht had shared his unique idea with her after her husband died and she had instituted a similar concept here. No one else knew. Stepping inside, she grabbed a satchel and began stuffing it with documents that no one was aware she had. Once those were secure, she closed the panel again to hide the space. There was a small pile of mementos and some things from her desk that she slipped into the bag. Composing herself, she picked up the large hand bag and, unlocking the door, strolled out. When she reached the vestibule, she stopped a clerk with black sleeve garters. “Anton, please have someone pack up the things on my desk and the books. I would like them sent to my home. Thank you. How is Maria and little Charlie?”

  The young man smiled. “I’ll get that done for you, Lady Ver’in. They’re fine. Charlie is cutting his fourth tooth.”

  “Give them my hello.”

  With a smile, she breezed through the big front door to her awaiting car. The chauffeur smoothly released the brake, and with the rhythmic hiss of steam, chuffed away from the corporation that her family started. Her next stop was to her lawyer’s office just down the street from Therad First Financial.

  A half hour later, the matriarch emerged with a bespectacled man, carrying a briefcase. His bright blue eyes twinkled with delight. He’d been looking forward to this day. They stopped briefly and spoke to the driver before continuing their walk to the bank.

  The doorman bowed them in with a smile. “Nice to see you on this warm day, Lady Ver’in,” he nodded to the man beside her who’d pulled a pocket watch from his vest, “and Hath. We don’t see you often. Go right in. I’m sure T’flon will be delighted to see you.”

  “We don’t need to disturb him today, Toby. Thank you.” The two glided past him to the teller windows on the main floor. Stepping forward, she caught the attention of a young man garbed with the traditional green visor and black sleeve garters of a clerk. “I need to make a withdrawal today.” She slid a slip of paper across the counter. “This is my account number. I’m closing my account.”

  The man’s eyes widened and he started to step back.

  Ver’in waved her hand to keep him there. “Relax. I even have the amount of the withdrawal figured out for you, though I know you’ll want to check in your ledgers. I’ll wait. I have my steam car out front. Your people can load the bags in there.”

  The young man dinged the small bell on his desk to call his supervisor over. As the administrator approached, his smile broadened at seeing the identity of the client.

  “Ver’in, how good to see you! I see you brought Hath today. How may we serve you?”

  “It is good to see you, also. I came to close my account. Hath is here in case you have any questions.” The matriarch nodded to the man beside her. She looked expectantly at the floor manager.

  He opened and closed his mouth in dismay. “Why would you want to do that?”

  She smiled. “This is my money and decision. M
y portion of the pharma kronots needs to be liquid and available should I decide I want to withdraw those. I haven’t made up my mind about that yet. I’m informing you as a courtesy. Now,” she handed him a piece of paper, “if you would be so good as to bundle my money together, I have my car waiting out front.”

  He sputtered, “But, my good woman, some of your funds are being used by Chemedco. Some of your capital is tied up!”

  Ver’in and Hath exchanged a look that was just a flicker of a moment. In a level voice that was ever so slightly louder than before, she said, “These are my funds. I keep a very careful accounting and this is the accurate amount. Chemedco or First Financial cannot use my money without my permission.” Her voice dropped to a deadly level. “And I didn’t give permission. So, my good man, bring me all of my savings down to the last kronot!”

  She seated herself at a small table and waited.

  The Word on the Street

  “Getcha pay-per! Free City Voice pay-per today! Getcha free pay-per!” The cry of the paper boys reverberated down the street as Kes chewed his breakfast of day-old bread. That was the first time he’d heard that offer. It seemed many felt the same way as several were gathering around the scruffy lad with the big bag of papers over his shoulder.

  “Goin’ fast! Getcha pay-per! Free City Voice pay-per today!” he called again.

  By the time Kes made it to the boy, there was just one paper left. “I’d like that one. How can they print papers for free?”

  The boy settled his newsy cap more firmly on his head as he prepared to dash back for more papers. He grinned and scratched his nose, leaving an ink smear. “Boss didn’t tell me. I just hawk the papers. Did notice there’s a new columnist above the fold. Here you go. Enjoy the paper.” As soon as it was in Kes’s hand, the urchin sprinted away.

  Kes opened it as he walked to the science building. The writer the boy mentioned called himself the People’s Herald. That seemed a bit grandiose, but as he read, his perspective shifted. The writer was making sense. Kes was so engrossed in the piece that he wasn’t looking where he was going and bumped into a man standing still.

  “Oh. I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention to where…” he sputtered.

  “That was obvious, Rus,” said a gruff voice. Thom turned around with a stern look. The glare was softened by a smile lighting the eyes behind the spectacles. “That is an interesting piece you’re reading. Not sure if it might be too late, in a way. Cautioning folks not to riot as it weakens what they’re trying to say. Puts them in a category of hooligans. All valid truths, but so many people don’t care anymore. Their hope is gone and the Council or banks or businesses aren’t listening.” He shook his head. “When you get to the bottom he says there will be more columns. I like what he says. Hope some think about his words, but if a mob forms…” Thom shrugged.

  “Say, young man, I don’t know what you said to Jordan the other day and it’s none of my business, but did it have anything to do with the nice little project we gleaners had that night?”

  Kes was still thinking about the article when the question broke through to him. He looked at Thom with a blank expression. “What project?”

  The balding gleaner harrumphed and looked at Kes speculatively. “Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter but it earned us some extra and we’re appreciative. Strange pickings, though.”

  Paying attention to the conversation now, Kes put the pieces together. Something must have flickered on his face because Thom gave him an abrupt nod of acknowledgement.

  “Like I said, we’re appreciative. Wanted to tell you that, and we’re a tight-lipped group. Picking through garbage the way we do, there’s secrets that come our way. We can keep them. Best get to work, Rus. Don’t want to be late.”

  A bit bemused at the turn of events, he stuffed the paper in his pack. He’d finish reading it during his lunch break. Thom was right. He was almost late for work.

  Chemedco’s matriarch pulled up in front of her granddaughter’s graceful two-story home. The steam car chuffed to a stop, the steam hissing a sigh as the brake was set. The vibrant old woman strode to the door. Almost before she could knock, it was opened by a staff woman. “She’s in with William.”

  Ver’in found them in the sitting room. William was sitting up on a chaise and smiled a welcome from his semi-reclined position. “Please pardon if I don’t get up and greet you, but I had just enough energy to get here and no more.”

  She stepped over to her grandson-in-law and scrutinized his face. “You look much better than you have in the past week. Has the doctor been in to see you?”

  “My fever is gone. I’m incredibly weak but am grateful to be here. I don’t think I’m ready to go back to work yet.”

  Ver’in pulled over a chair so she could see both of them as she talked. “I’d like to suggest some changes. I’m rattling around in my house with a bunch of empty rooms. With the climate of unrest, I’m not sure if that is a safe idea. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like you to consider combining our households. I don’t intend to get in your way, but I would love the time with you.”

  Sh’ar looked at her husband but let him respond first. His expression softened as he held her gaze. Turning to the matriarch, he smiled. “That is a generous offer but I’ve struggled to prove my worth in your family and am proud of this home. It is a symbol of my being able to provide for Sh’ar. Moving in with you would feel like I’m mooching.”

  “Please forgive this old woman. I really bungled this. Let me make this clear.” She paused, composing her words. “Would you have room for me in your home? A bedroom, bath and perhaps a corner somewhere for a desk? I’d pay you rent to help offset the expenses. Do you have a corner I could stay in?”

  Again there was the exchange of looks between the couple and Sh’ar smiled. “Grandmother! You want to sell your home? We’d love to have you here. There are really too many rooms, but we loved the possibility of filling some of them with children, and the gardens are wonderful. There is even room for your car!”

  William nodded in agreement. “Actually, I love to landscape, and it was the gardens that sold me. I think the issue is settled.”

  “Good because I also have business to discuss with you two. William, I know how loyal you’ve been to Chemedco. I was in the family board meeting and heard your report. Has Sh’ar filled you in on what we’ve discovered?”

  He nodded with reluctance. “I don’t want to believe it. I thought what I was doing was the way you had to do business. I absorbed the lessons and threw my energies behind them. They went against my instincts and core beliefs, but I wanted to be a contributing member of Chemedco and accepted in the family for Sh’ar’s sake. Yet creating a pathogen which sickens and kills people just to make money on a cure? I can’t do that. I’m going to have trouble at work because now I’m questioning everything.”

  Ver’in’s smile lifted all of the lines in her face and brought a glimpse of her former beauty. “That’s good, because as the owner of Chemedco I’m firing you—and hiring you for our new yet-to-be-named company. You aren’t unemployed and you’ve never needed to prove your worth to me. Yesterday, Raj’t told me to leave the company. It was a foolish thing for a CEO to say to the owner. I’ve legal documents that give me more power with the company than he is aware. And no, I didn’t know his plans with the pathogen. But I plan to work hard to straighten out some wrongs.

  “We are going to compete with Chemedco and work with other scientists. Right now, my family business has pushed some of the Council to pass laws that are detrimental to the wellbeing of Myrn. There is much that needs to change. This unrest is dangerous and I was sincere in wanting us together, along with some of my security staff. I’ve also pulled out all of my money from First Financial. Their practices are equally questionable. I strongly urge you to do the same. Sh’ar, I know you are close friends with Pos’et. You could tell her that there are some family investments and you need the cash for now. It’s your decision.”

  The
young woman twisted the handkerchief in her lap. “Is that true? Will I put it back?”

  “I can’t see the future, my dear, but it is likely that you will be able to put all or some back. I want Therad First Financial to feel the squeeze. Nothing changes when you are comfortable. Chemedco is going to get distressingly pinched, too, but when big power players get uncomfortable, things can get dangerous. Now add that to what’s happening on the street. We’re in for a rough storm. Please, can I move in?” she said the last in a plaintive voice meant to take some of the fear out of the statement.

  William smiled. “I assume you have your people packing right now? Yes, you are welcome here. Now send for the doctor to check me over and bring in your security staff in their chef and gardener uniforms.” He gave her a wink and the old woman threw back her head and laughed.

  “You have me figured out. They can be here within the hour, and after they arrive, I’d like to go run some errands with Sh’ar. Thank you, my dears. I’d better get things in motion.”

  T’flon strode past the doorman of First Financial without acknowledging his greeting. He stormed up the stairs and into his assistant’s office. Steven looked up in surprise as the door banged against the wall. There was a thunderstorm in his boss’s expression.

  “I just came from lunch with my lovely wife. We were dining at Savor on Celeste Lane. Imagine my surprise when Mahrie, the milliner, came up to our table. She was working in the kitchen and one of the wait staff told her we were there. That woman thanked me for dropping the interest rate to her loan. It seems she had heard a rumor to that effect and had come into our bank and verified it. She had enough in savings to cover what she owed at the reduced rate and was grateful she wouldn’t lose her home.” The color on the banker’s face was reaching an unhealthy shade of red. “She withdrew money… our money… and paid off the loan! How did that happen? I was going to foreclose on her home. There are several properties together that are ready to be seized for non-payment. I had a buyer ready that wanted the land. We were going to make a healthy profit, and now she’s paid off the loan! How long has this been going on? How dare you lower interest rates without authorization?” T’flon clutched his chest and Steven eased him into a chair and poured him a glass of water.