Spinspace: The Space of Spins (The Metaspace Chronicles Book 2) (24 page)

Chapter 59

Rochelle
: contemplating the enemy

“...both their Gods & their men are fools”

–
The Book of The Law I:11

She wanted to smash something.  The mental connection reached nothing.  He hadn't put the ring back on.  But he couldn't be foolish enough to defy her, even if he was a thousand miles away now.  She still had his family.  She glanced at the ring of blue metal on her finger.  Even such a useful thing as this had its limitations.  Too bad there were so few of them left that worked.  Anyone who knew about them could use one...but no one knew how to make them. 
Someday I have to figure out how to do that.

Could the silence mean that Xander had discovered her Judas?  It was inconceivable.  The man was a hopeless idealist, a typical product of the People's Republic of Wyoming.  She laughed in her mind, thinking of that sad country.  Everyone there was equal – and no one there was rich.  The farming communes that sent their speakers to the Worker's Congress actually thought that their renunciation of wealth made them superior and protected them from invasion.  Oh, it protected them all right – no one wanted to take that country because they had little of value.  Only ideals.

Xander had wandered away from his commune, but he still carried the loser mindset with him.  He had accumulated some lore, some power...and what did he do with it?  The fool ignored the possibilities that power implied.  He had squandered his youth serving the General and his widow that silly bitch Kristana.  And now he was committing the greatest folly of all: giving away his secrets in exchange for nothing!

Personally, she doubted his School would ever amount to much, but she couldn't leave it to chance.  If he ever managed to train someone as capable and less foolish than himself...  Well, that wasn't going to happen.  She would see to that.  If Dog failed her, she would find another way.  She always did.  It was a pity that Xander was such a fool.  Sometimes she caught herself wondering how much more she might have accomplished with another wizard at her side, especially a man.  Men were weak.  Their bodies ruled their minds, making them easy to entice, to seduce, and to control.

With a male wizard as her sexual slave, she wouldn't have to do everything personally.  He could be the one to refresh the irrigation swizzles when they weakened.  He could be sent to intimidate the grumblers.  He could deal with the wealthy who complained of her taxes, the farmers who wanted to own their own farms, and the agents of her supposed allies, the Earl of Francisco, a fool who thought trade made him secure, and the Duke of the northern Forests, an aging lecher who was obsessed with finding the Shrine to cure the consequences of his many vices.

All men were fools.  Without his precious Bay, the Earl of Francisco would have nothing.  Oh, he had one or two magicians, but they were hardly wizards.  From what she'd heard, they used showmanship and stage illusions to prop up their reputations.  Whenever she wanted to, she could wipe them out and the Earl with them, and add Francisco to her domain.  But it was hardly worth doing, really.  There was plenty down here to amuse her.

As for the Duke, he would die soon enough from his own excesses.  Traveling all the way up there to finish him off was unnecessary.  When he finally breathed his last, and his government crumbled (as it surely would; there couldn't be anyone capable and ruthless enough to replace him, or it would have happened already), only then would she consider making an effort to acquire his territory.

By the time she needed the Shrine for herself, her agents would have no competition up there at all.

Chapter 60

Aria
: damps and newcomers

“A wise woman wishes to be no one's enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone's victim.”

– Maya Angelou

The man from the Department of Mines droned on, as if rocks were the most fascinating subject in the world and everyone knew it.  She had heard enough about strikes, ores, veins, fines, and leaching processes to last her the rest of her life.

“But the biggest help we've received in decades,' he continued, “were those loads of swizzles you shipped us.”

“You can thank our court wizards, Xander and Lester for that,” the Governor told him.  “They turned out a huge number of them before the invasion a few months ago.  It was Xander's suggestion that I funnel them to you.  But what do you use them for?  Surely not for digging.”

“No, Excellency.  We haven't found a way to use them for that.  But I can tell you that we wouldn't be getting anywhere near the production numbers we are seeing now without them.  We've been limited for as long as I can remember by the water and the damps.”

The Governor glanced at Aria, clearly puzzled.  “Damps?”

She had no idea what to tell her mother.  None of her private classes and training to be the next governor had prepared her for this subject.  She groaned mentally at the thought that the deficiency would no doubt be rectified.  Even more to learn.

Kristana turned back to the official.  “Sorry, I'm not following.  You had problems with water getting your equipment damp?”

He smiled.  “No, Excellency.  Groundwater is a problem, of course, because miners can't breathe underwater.  We've been making do with hand pumps, but the swizzles are better and free up more workers for other tasks.  But I can see why the word 'damps' would confuse you.  It has nothing to do with wetness.  It comes from
dampf
  – a German word meaning 'vapors'.  It refers to dangerous gases found down in mines.”

Don't ask!
Aria prayed.  But of course her mother had to ask about the mine gases.

“Well there are quite a lot of them,” he said, warming to the subject.  “Firedamp is what we get in the coal mines; it's just another word for methane, and it can burn and explode, hence the name.”

“I see,” said the Governor, covering a half-yawn with one hand.

But he didn't take the hint.  “And then there's
stinkdamp
, another word for hydrogen sulfide. Not that dangerous but unpleasant, because it smells like rotten eggs.  Not to mention
whitedamp
and
blackdamp
.”

But alas, he did mention them, obsessed with providing complete information.  “
Whitedamp
is carbon monoxide.  Extremely poisonous stuff; we get that in coal mines too.  It's why we carry the birdcages.  They breathe faster than us, so when the poor little buggers keel over it gives us a warning to get the hell out.  But some say
blackdamp
is the worst.”

“Why is that?”

“Because it's another word for carbon dioxide.  We run  into that in all the mines, especially the deeper ones, because it's heavier than air so it just sinks down in as soon as you open a hole.  It's called
blackdamp
because with enough of it in the air your lamps won't burn. They go out and leave you in the dark.  Even if the birds haven't died yet you have to come up fast when that happens, because when there's too much of that in the air it crowds out the oxygen and the men will suffocate.”

“I see,” the Governor said.

“Because of these, the deeper you go the more important ventilation is to keep your workers alive.  Thanks to you and your wizard, we can swizzle out the damps and water, and swizzle fresh air down there to replace 'em.  Makes a world of difference to our productivity.”

“Well, we've started a school to train more wizards,” the Governor said.  “With any luck at all, we'll be able to give you all the swizzles you need to expand operations.”

The man beamed.  “That's terrific!  Most of the older mines have been worked for centuries.  For them, we're always going deeper, and the damps just get worse.”  The door behind him opened and Lester came in. leading two strangers, a man and a boy in his mid-teens.

“Well thank you for your report, Mr. Shmidt.  We look forward to even more progress from you in the future.”

After the man left, Lester spoke up.  “Madame Governor, I have the honor of presenting Isaac Silverman, ambassador from New Israel, and his son Nathan.”

Kristana's eyes widened.  “New Israel?  Lord, but you've come a long way.  We are honored by your visit...although I must say I'm a little surprised that we had no idea you were coming.”

Yes,
thought Aria. 
You're surprised that the road sentries didn't get you a report about them in time
.  She had no doubt that someone on the roof was receiving a mirror-shutter message about them as they spoke.

Isaac smiled.  “I must say, Excellency, that we were concerned on the way here when we heard about the invasion from the Lone Star Empire.  I was relieved to hear you defeated them.”

“It was a very near thing.  Their tanks rolled right into town and were literally across the street, before they tangled with my wizards.  Xander neutralized the Honcho's tank, and Lester there beside you, he finished off the Honcho's second-in-command.  After that the others were willing to listen to reason.”

Sort of.  After I offered them the face-saving concession of marrying Jeffrey, the new Honcho.
  But no one mentioned that.

“This is my daughter Aria, my heir, by the way.”

Isaac bowed to her.  “An honor to meet you, Lady Aria.”

Aria had to shake her head at that.  “Just 'Aria',” she said.  “The Governor of Rado used to be an elected position, in the old days, and someday soon it will be again.  We try not to think of ourselves as royalty – just hereditary caretakers, until the union can be restored.”

“A noble ambition,” he said.  “And yet, a difficult proposition, restoring the Union.  Even if someday you succeed, it will not be the same as it was.”

She sighed.  “I know that, Ambassador.  I'm sure we'll never have fifty-two stars on the new flag, like the ones in the museums have.  But at least there be an end to warfare, if and when we complete the Restoration.”

At this point her mother moved to take over the conversation again.  “It's one of many matters we can discuss.  But you must be tired from such a long journey.  I'm sure Lester can find you an empty floor to settle into, unless of course you already have plans to stay elsewhere.”

Isaac shook his head.  “Thank you, Excellency, that will be most convenient.”

“Incidentally,” the Governor said, “you should know that an ambassador from the Dixie Emirates also arrived recently.  I do hope that won't be a problem.  I understand New Israel and the Emirates have had...shall we say, unfortunate disagreements in the past.”

Isaac shrugged.  “Oh, all of that happened a long time ago, Excellency.  Indeed, I look forward to meeting him.”

I notice you automatically assume their ambassador is a man,
thought Aria.  But she said nothing.  Because he was.

Chapter 61

Enrique
:
a nontrivial change

“One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.”

– Niccolo Machiavelli

The spiritual leader of millions drummed his fingers on the armrest of his wooden throne, waiting for the cardinals.  Though he owed his election to them, His Holiness, Pope Enrique II sometimes wished they were less interested in participating in decisions on Church policy.

Eventually they began wafting into the audience chamber and settling into their chairs like red snowdrifts.  He tried to stifle his impatience and reminded himself that he used to wear the red himself.

Most seats would remain empty.  Even during the papal enclave that had elevated him to Supreme Pontiff (no longer called the Bishop of Rome since the fall of civilization and loss of the weather satellites had made crossing the Atlantic too dangerous), many of the cardinals had not been in attendance.  Many in Mexico and most in the more Southern countries had 'elected' to decline the hardships and hazards of a long journey to the New Vatican in Dallas.

After the Camerlengo called them to order, Enrique swept them with his gaze.  “We have called you here today to discuss a possible change in Church policy regarding the so-called 'Gifts of the Tourists'.  As you know, Our predecessors have called them 'tools of the Devil', 'demonic snares', and the like.  A Papal Ban declared them anathema and ordered Christians to avoid them and to hand over any remaining artifacts. We are considering a softening of that position.”

Cardinal Vicentes was the first to speak.  “Holiness, forgive me for asking, but are you certain that's wise?  The policy has been in effect for many decades.  Are we to declare that your predecessors were in error, after all this time?”

Enrique regarded him.  “Policies have changed in the past.  At one time the Church's officials in Mexico tried to ban chocolate.  Besides, the ban on Gifts was not made
Ex Cathedra
– it was not an infallible proclamation.'

Vicentes sat down again, frowning.

Cardinal Esposito stood up next.  “Holiness, your predecessors all considered the ban prudent.  After all, these artifacts perform their actions through no detectable mechanism or force.  Many people are certain to see them as miraculous, and cults could coalesce about such 'miracles', drawing many away from the miracles of the Church.  Why should we risk allowing such distractions?”

Enrique was about to answer this when Cardinal Ortega arose in rebuttal.  “We know from Church records that hundreds of years ago the technology of the Ancients was also mysterious to most.  Their radios and televisions pulled words, music, even pictures from the empty air.  Yes I have read of no mass exodus from the Church to cults based upon them.”

Cardinal Fuentes agreed.  “It may even be said that such technology actually
assisted
the Church.  For people who might have difficulty believing in things unseen had the examples of radio and the like to remind them that things which are invisible like the wind can be real, and have real effects.”

Esposito snorted, still on his feet.  “Wind we have known since the earliest times.  But one can make wind, when blowing out a candle, so there is nothing mysterious of it to inspire awe in the faithful.  But a swizzle can make water run uphill!  An everflame can make water boil without burning fuel!  How can we explain such things, without the unseen action of angels or demons?”

Cardinal Ferero stood now.  “The Gifts were brought to Earth by the Tourists, that is certain.  But can anyone here prove the Tourists, though perhaps not demonic themselves, were not possessed by demons?  For all we know there were merely tools of the Father of Lies himself...emissaries of the Adversary.”

At this, many forsook protocol and stood to argue for and against a change in policy, and tempers flared.  Their shouting reminded  him of squawking birds.  Enrique sighed and tried to wait it out, but the debate had become a verbal melee and soon he found his own patience waning.  He stood up, himself, and when the squabbling cardinals notices they finally quieted down and took their seats again to hear what he had to say.

“It is not Our duty,” he reminded them, “to explain even human technology, let alone the technologies of aliens.  As to the possible role of the Tourists in bringing us the Gifts, my thoughts are as follows.  If they were under the control of Satan and his demons, then why did they leave?  Why not remain to do more mischief?  The very fact that they came, traded, and then left speaks of their innocence.  I'm not saying they were free of sin.  They were certainly guilty of negligence as culpable as a fool that hands a loaded crossbow to a child.  But that does not make the crossbow evil in itself.”

He heard murmuring, but forged ahead.  “We have no evidence that the Gifts themselves are inherently evil, nor those who brought them.  A more reasonable objection to changing Our policy might be the question: why change, unless change is necessary?

“After much thought, We do believe that change is necessary in this case.  Why?  Because fear without a rational basis looks like superstition, and I say to you that the Church must avoid any appearance of superstition.  We must not go there!  Most of you, if not all, know that Rado has gone beyond merely tolerating a court wizard, and is actively training more, opening the doors of their school to any they deem talented.”

He paused to let that sink in.  “If the previous Honcho had succeeded with his invasion of Rado, the school would not be forming.  But he failed.  If We persist in calling these alien artifacts tools of the Devil, then congregations will begin to ask why God seems to favor those who permit them.  They will begin to suspect that Our policy is wrong. Once they do that, will they not wonder what
else
the Church is wrong about?”

There was more murmuring.  “You all know that officially banning anything makes it into forbidden fruit, and increases its temptation.  If, on the other hand, if we amend the policy, and accept the Gifts as mere technology, and even incorporate them visibly into  Church buildings and ritual, as we have done in the past many times with local customs and observances, we will add the power and mystery of these 'miracles' to our own panoply.  We will render them harmless, make them unable to draw the faithful off into cults.”

He sat down on his throne again and reached out to the cup of coffee on the little table beside his right armrest.  “History tells us that a  Pope was once asked to ban coffee.  He was told it must be banned because it competed with sacramental wine and was a favorite of Muslims, so it must be considered evil.  Do you remember what he did?”

He paused again, seeing knowing smiles appear on several of the cardinals.  “He said words to the effect of 'this drink is so delicious that we must cheat the Devil by baptizing it'.  We submit to you that the usefulness of the gifts will tempt our followers to employ them.  It is Our decision, therefore, that rather than lead them into temptation – the temptation to disobey authority – We should similarly 'baptize' these artifacts.  That is, We shall proclaim them to be harmless and of no worry to the Church.”

As they filed out, some nodding, some grumbling, Enrique watched them.  He sipped the coffee again and thought to himself,
the decision is made and they must accept it.  It's a good thing there is no way to impeach a Pope.