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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">You
asked for a large segment in one piece. Time does not flow
equably in all continua.<br>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><br>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
Girl Who Saved
the World. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><br>
</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold">Text copyright © 2016 George Phillies<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span
style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold"><o:p> </o:p>Meet Eclipse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight:
bold">She's hardworking, bright, self-reliant, good with tools,
vigorously
physically fit. She’s also a persona: She flies, reads minds,
and is not
afraid of necessary violence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Now
she’s procured
the Key to Paradise. And everyone in the world will be happy to
kill her to get
their hands on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Girl Who Saved the World</span></i><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>is
Volume 1 of this series. Volume 2, <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Airy
Castles All Ablaze</i>, is a major rewrite of my much older
novel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">This Shining Sea</i>.
There will be a Volume
3, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Of Breaking Waves</i>,
because Eclipse needs to save Spindrift from having died.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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New Roman","serif";
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page-break-before:always" clear="all">
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0in;line-height:115%"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1 style="margin-top:0in"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New
Roman","serif"">Flashforward<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Invisible Fortress<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Evening<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">January
11, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">I awoke
at half past
dark.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To put it mildly,
I hurt. Some
places hurt even more than others. If there were any places
where I didn’t
hurt, I couldn’t find them. Yes, I was doing mind control on
myself. The pain
nerves screamed their agony, but thanks to mind control I heard
them as distant
murmurs. That meant I could sleep. I still knew I hurt.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A lot. ‘Hurt a lot’ was
still infinitely
better than the alternative, which involved being dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">What
was going on? I
confusedly wondered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
was lying in a
bed, not in my normal sleeping position. The room was dark. For
moments I was
too dazed to think clearly. I peered over my bedsheet and quilt
…I was in my
own bedroom. Beyond the glass wall separating me from my
balcony, the silent
stars glittered in a cloudless night sky.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>If I waited long enough, I’d see them sink into the
pitch-black hills of
the coastal range. The shadows above my bed were my collection
of Captain
Infinity Atomic Soaker pistols, soakers, except one that very
definitely did
not project water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Suddenly
I
remembered. Atlanticea. It was the most wonderful memory in the
world…or would
have been if I didn’t hurt so much. Not to mention I was totally
exhausted. I’d
threaded the Maze, the Maze that defeated Julius Caesar and
Jackie Fisher and Spearthrower
Owl and the French Imperial Guard. I’d reached the Tomb and
matched wits with
the Martyr himself. He’d gifted me that palm-size sphere of
crystalline sky,
the Namestone, the Key to the Earthly Paradise. No one else in
history had ever
come close, and now I’d done it. The Namestone was the wonderful
birthday
present I’d given myself, a couple months late for my twelfth
birthday. It was
almost as wonderful a birthday present as my ponies. Snapdragon
and Daffodil
are better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I gave them
to me, too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">On the
bright side,
when I grabbed the Namestone my chances of living another six
months moved up
from zero. On the less bright side, now that I’ve I grabbed the
Namestone my
chances of living six months are fifty-fifty.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>On the interesting side, the list of reasons I am likely
going to die
soon changed completely when I grabbed the Namestone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Now,
thanks to the
Maze, I was seriously wrecked up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Credit
for some wrecking up goes to the League of Nations and to a Lord
of
Eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They’d both
made a maximum
effort to kill me, just to get their hands on the Namestone.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They almost succeeded.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Almost, not quite. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And, you know, ‘almost’ only
counts in horseshoes,
and <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>with hand grenades.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">No
matter how tired
I felt, I called very slightly on my gifts. The null links to my
pets were
quiet. Two ponies slumbered in their barn, and two barn cats
cuddled dreamily
in the loft above. Anything else was very small, or very far
away. Perception?
The only thing I worried about was the Namestone.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There it was in my den,
hiding behind a
quarter inch of impervium, almost impossible for me to find
despite knowing
exactly where to look. No one else would ever find it. The
Namestone. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had it. Not
the League of Nations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not
the Lords of Eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Me.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
had it. In my home! It was mine! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
healing matrix
was fixing me, but…oh right, healing matrix. I should have
remembered that
immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I said I
was a bit dazed,
didn’t I? I summoned the glyph for Medico, its associated rules
engine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nothing in
violet, nothing that was killing
me despite the matrix.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Of
course, the
matrix should have dragged me conscious if I were dying, and it
hadn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nothing blue,
long-term near-death
threat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Red warnings?
Let’s see.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Three broken
ribs, stitched by telekinesis. That’s
why I was on my back, a lousy sleeping position Medico told me
to live with. My
right shoulder? Nothing had broken, but bits of force field were
pushing things
where they belonged while the matrix forced repairs. Internal
bleeding from
high-impact collisions?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That
had been
fixed. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Gold - a black
eye, a few bone
bruises, but I’ve been here before, just not so many ways at the
same
time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Green – slices,
scrapes, abrasions
… my skin is being returned to perfection as I lie in bed. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My face was cleaned up by the
Namestone before
I faced the Martyr, but the rest of me was my problem. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The matrix was healing
everything, way faster
than I’d heal naturally. I’d still need a couple weeks to
recover.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Home!
That was the keyword.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
was home and safe. I dropped my mind
out-of-body. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Astral
projection is
decidedly not my strongest gift, but I can pull it off.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If I am very careful.
Actually, the preset
did not give me much choice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sometime
back I had done mind control on myself, to ensure that whenever
I was in a
really serious fight, escaped, and got back here safe, I would
go out-of-body,
whether I wanted to or not. If someone had planted mind controls
on me, I
probably broke them when I left my body behind.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The preset grabbed my gifts and ran a scan, fast as
thought, to see what
trojans might have been inserted into my mind-space. Yes, the
scan runs at the
speed of thought, but it has a lot of mind to scan.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Meanwhile, I hovered above
my body, looking
into my momentarily sightless silver-gray eyes and
platinum-white eyelashes, listening
to me breathe, ever so slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Done.
Control of my
mind returned to me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There
was a way to
break the mind control, if things went wrong, but everything
went the way it
was supposed to.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mum had
been very
careful about showing me exactly how to arrange that preset,
because seven ways
from Sunday doing mind control on yourself was very dangerous.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I dropped my mind back into
my body, wiggled
fingers and toes, and blinked twice.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Everything worked. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Gifts?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Just
before I left Atlanticea I’d pushed my gifts way deep, much
deeper than I’d expected
to need them, driving my shields toward their ultimate limits. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now I shouldn’t even consider
calling any of
them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not flight.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not teleportation.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not any of the neat ways I
can seriously
wreck things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not force
field – well,
there’s a low-level screen tacking my ribs together.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was a warning flag --
my second-level
shields had engaged. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
could go way deep
right now if I absolutely had to, but if I do I’m going to hurt
myself. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">My
memories took me
back to Atlanticea. The Martyr gave me the Namestone. I climbed
the Outer
Stairs, out of the Maze into the waking world.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Ahead of me, wisps of cloud were an incandescent white
against a
cerulean sky. I was sufficiently wrecked up that climbing those
stairs was
incredibly demanding. After each step, I half-felt ready to
quit. Before I did
the Maze, I had zerolined all of my gifts, flat as possible.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Any gift I called, the Maze
could call back
at threefold the power. That was its rule.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Curiously, three times zero is still zero. I did not give
the Maze any
advantages.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">While I
climbed the
stairs, I was desperately trying to recover my power levels.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I could barely crack open
The Sky.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then with an
effort that left me dizzy and
gasping for breath I managed to reach down to The Breaking Wave.
I am not
embarrassed to say that mind control to suppress pain was the
first gift that I
called. Just before I sliced the last fellow open from guggle to
zatch, he had
gut-punched me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hard.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After my next step I
managed to find life
support. With the broken ribs, it hurt too much to breathe.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Once I didn’t need to
breathe, I could
focus.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I remembered to
summon the Medico
rules engine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It would
have been truly
stupid to bleed to death after I got my hands on the Namestone.
Medico reported
that I was not dying, not even close.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Perhaps the Namestone would have protected me until I
finished climbing
the Outer Stairs. I wasn’t counting on it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">I kept
reaching for
power levels, further and further down. They came more and more
easily. The Sea
of Grass, The Temple, The Sun, and The Matrix opened up.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>GR, I did not forget to
call my shields.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I might
have a reception committee, someone
who thought it was easier to steal the Namestone from me than
from the
Maze.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Before I reached
the top of the
stairs, I was sort of back to normal.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
could touch all the power levels I can normally reach. I just
couldn’t tap them
for very much.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not yet.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not without taking even
more damage. I could
go way deep into my gifts if I had to.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
hoped I didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">At the
top of the
Outer Stairs I had company.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Waiting
for
me were Valkyria, the super-heavy combatant of the League of
Nations Elite Strike
Team, and the Screaming Skull, himself. Alas, they weren’t
fighting each other,
so I couldn’t smile once, duck twice, and flee their island
paradise. I suppose
I shouldn’t have been surprised. For thousands of years the
Namestone has been
known to be the Key to Heaven, the artifact that will transform
the World into
the Earthly paradise.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
League of
Nations had passed any number of decrees claiming it for
themselves, just so
soon as someone else did their work for them and removed it from
the Maze.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now I had the
Namestone, so they wanted it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">I did a
crash drop,
calling all the power I could find. I shoved it all into my
shields. I really
wanted to teleport away.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Teleport
is a
wonderful gift, as good a gift as flight, but teleporting far
enough to avoid a
chase needed a lot of power, more than I could call just yet.
Yes, I could have
switched power from shields to teleport, and jumped out.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The moment I shifted power
out of my shields,
they would have faded, enough that I’d have been toast before I
could
disappear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Where
is she,
little girl?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Where is
the bearer of the
Holy Namestone?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That
was Valkyria,
shouting at me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Valkyria?
Six feet tall,
impervium-plated battle armor, heavy duty body field, not to
mention a flaming
sword that was mostly a special effect shrouding a pointblank
range plasma
attack. Yes, there is also an endarium blade inside the flames.
There is a long
tradition of people in plate mail being idiots. At the moment
Valkyria was
living up to the tradition.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her long blonde hair
fluttered in the sea
breeze. Bad form. Mum always said Valkyria should wear her hair
short or mound
it under her helmet, failing which someone would grab it.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">I was a
bit
miffed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>GR, she does
have three-quarters
of a foot on me, but ‘little girl’ is not the nicest imaginable
greeting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>True or not,
‘Little girl’ is impolite. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Valkyria
should have been less
threatening.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After all,
I was carrying the
most powerful artifact in the world. I still needed more time
before I tried
teleporting out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I’m
twenty feet in
front of you,” I answered. After it was too late it had occurred
to me to
answer ‘she’s twenty feet behind me, but I have to get out of
the way before
she can come up here’. Oh, well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Aren’t
you … isn’t
the real Bearer taller?” Valkyria asked.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>She sounded confused.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">I
glowered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>GR, I’m not
into my teen growth spurt yet,
but it’s not I didn’t pass five feet last year.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“I am tall.” That’s when I ran out of patience.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Valkyria hadn’t even been
civil.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why hadn’t she at
least congratulated me on
walking the Maze. If she wanted to insult me, there’s no reason
I couldn’t
return the favor. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Wait!”
I continued,
“Isn’t the real Valkyria a bit less pudgy? I mean, how do they
manage to
squeeze you into that armor?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her
nostrils flared. I guess she’s sensitive about that line.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You!”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Valkyria shouted. “Inform
the Bearer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She must
turn the Holy Namestone over to
League of Nations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At
once!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As fast as
possible! Immediately! That is a
direct order! From The League of Nations!” Yes, I could hear her
Prussian
mindset without reading her mind.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Unless
something had gone very wrong, the whole world had watched me do
the Maze.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She should
have known who I am.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I am
the
Bearer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you wanted
the Namestone, you
should have walked the Maze first and taken it,” I answered. I
called my gifts,
as fast as possible, reinforcing my shields, but when you start
at absolute
zero this takes a while. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
confess I was
getting a bit nervous that the Screaming Skull was standing
there, politely not
saying anything. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No, we
haven’t met, but
when your mother is a persona, you tend to inherit bits of her
gift fine
structure, enough that he’d eventually figure out whose daughter
I am. That
would for sure not be good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Give
it to me! Now!
The League has decreed: The Namestone is the property of the
world.” Valkyria
was used to having her orders obeyed.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Give
it to you? You
and which army?” I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
yawned.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That was an act.
<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I should have been more
polite. In my own
defense, I was thoroughly exhausted, not to mention I’d taken
all the body
damage during the hand-to-hand combat segments.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I expected congratulations, not threats.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>After all, people have been trying to thread the Lesser
Maze for three
thousand years, with no success. I’d done it. Old English
proverb: Battles are
events between inadequate opportunities to rest. I wasn’t
resting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was powering
up my gifts as fast as
possible <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“This
one?” <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She waved her
fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What had to be
the whole League of Nations
Elite Strike Force teleported in at her back. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mind you, I don’t know who
most of them are,
other than really tackily dressed, not at all like my highly
stylish and
tasteful garb, but the Strike Force is respectably powerful.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
Force began to
spread, left and right.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That’s
far
enough,” I announced.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They
kept
spreading.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">It’s a
very special
gesture with hand and wrist. My palm ends up facing skyward, the
Namestone
burning cerulean a few inches above it, its tuneless tune
distantly heard in
every ear.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yes, I did
remember to cue my
body aura, not to mention my personal theme music, a bold brass
opening folding
into darker tones of the flugelhorn.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No,
I can still call on Namestone’s power even if I can’t move.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nor do I need the music or
aura to call on
all my gifts. Yes, my aura actually is the same blue as the
Namestone’s
glow.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My platinum blonde
hair and pale
gray garb go really well with it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Behold
the Holy
Namestone. Come no farther or face my wrath.”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Mum taught me how to sound truly pompous.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To my surprise, it worked.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Europalord did not quite
fall on his fat face
when he tripped over his own feet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Of
course, he is a drain, so personal combat training is not quite
the issue it is
with his team-mates. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His
task is to sit
there and suck power out of his opponents, incidentally shoving
it all into his
personal force field.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The
Namestone is
mine,” I announced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You’re
defying the
League!” Valkyria shouted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“International
law specifies: The League of Nations owns the Namestone. Hand it
over!” In
retrospect, she might have done better if she’d been a bit more
tactful.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She could
hardly have done worse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You
know the Maze
Rule: Namestone belongs to he who takes it. I took it,” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“No, it
belongs to
the League!” she screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You
keep repeating
that same wrong statement.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
just told
you: I took it. It’s mine! Are you deaf, or just stupid? Or
maybe both; you’re
for sure stupid.” I answered. By now I was in a really sour
mood. I really wanted
to go home and go to bed. And, very soon, I would have broadened
my call on
enough levels of power to do just that.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I could feel the teleport blocks being put into place
around me, meaning
I was going to need a lot of power to smash them into little
pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No, I do not
feel guilty about what was
likely to happen to the people and machines casting those blocks
when I did the
smashing. Meanwhile, Valkyria is said to be short-tempered.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>People who are busy losing
their tempers for
sure aren’t thinking clearly, a positive outcome for me. Well, a
positive
outcome, except I was in the process of losing my own temper.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“The
Namestone is
too dangerous for mortals,” the Screaming Skull announced. “Give
it to me, or it
is you who will face my wrath.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You’re
supposed to
be an improvement, fatso?” I snapped. I really should have been
more polite,
but exhaustion breeds impatience. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
Skull was a whole bunch of words Mum would not like to hear me
use egomaniac
with delusions of adequacy. I did not quite use any of those
words Mum did not
approve, though I was tempted. Unfortunately he was also really
good at telling
people to drop dead, and having it happen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Team!
The Namestone
is indestructible! Kill her!” Valkyria shouted. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Oh, dear, I thought, not to
mention several
other words Mum did not approve of my using, she’s even more
short-tempered
than rumored. She could readily have drawn out this conversation
for some time
yet, say until I felt comfortable about teleporting away. No
such luck. Valkyria
tossed her explosive throwing katana. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The katana explosion packs
the power density
of a starcore weapon. Her team launched a totally bizarre
mixture of high power
attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not one of them
seemed to have
noticed that if I died I would drop the Namestone, which would
roll back down
the Stairs into the Lesser Maze, there to be returned to the
Martyr. Perhaps
Valkyria counted on the explosion from her throwing sword to
blast the
Namestone free. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">I’d
forgotten the
Screaming Skull, even though I had just told him off. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Over-focus is very dangerous
in combat, but at
this point I was outnumbered close to twenty to one. I’d paid
too much
attention to Valkyria, and ignored the Skull.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>He used the same moment to launch his most deadly attack,
the Shower of
Total Death.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Being
attacked by the
League of Nations Elite Team was bad news, but the Skull is a
Lord of
Eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His attack? It
works on
people, it works on a tree, and now I’ll see if it works on me.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ve actually never been
positive my second
level shields do anything.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s
not
there are a lot of second level attacks wandering around to test
them
against.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">My
scramble for
calling more and more levels worked.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Barely. My shields did everything needed.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then Valkyria’s katana hit
me. Of course, I’ve
seen starcore energy densities before, real ones, and my shields
worked just
fine that time, too. It’s just I was very tired, the gifts being
used against
me were incredibly powerful, and I had to go truly deep to hold
my defenses
against all of them at the same time.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
didn’t quite fall over, but the world was getting a bit gray.
For half an
instant, the Skull looked surprised.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He
could tell: I was not drawing on the Namestone.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>He’d tried to kill me, and my personal defenses were good
enough to stop
his several other words that would not meet with Mum’s approval
attack in its
tracks. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">I did
not give them
a second chance. I’d gotten down through enough levels to hold
all my shields,
keep slack, smash the teleport blocks, and teleport. I flicked
my wrist back.
Namestone vanished.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
smashed the teleport
blocks and teleported out, far far away, all the way to the Dark
Side of the
Moon, then a half dozen fast jumps, one triple cycle loop, and
finally a pause
in case someone was following me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I'd
ended someplace that looks like it could be my base.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It isn’t, but it looks
really basey.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Base-like?
Basious?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>GR, it looks
like a high-power persona base. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Pursuers
who could track me, a truly rare
gift, would see I had stopped moving and charge after me.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I hadn't hurt any of them
yet, but if someone
followed my jumps they'd learn how good I am at wrecking things.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That’s very good at
wrecking things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Wrecking
pursuers, in particular.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
waited until the teleport traces vanished.
There were no pursuers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Fortunately, traces do not
fade by becoming
ever fainter, so you have to wonder if someone with really,
really good
tracking gifts can still follow you. Teleport traces chug along
and then stop
dead, gone forever.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A
few more jumps
brought me here, the second-floor study in my very own house.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I couldn’t remember what I
did next. I <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>must have
dropped the Namestone into its
hiding place, stripped off my garb, and fallen into bed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">One of
the times
when I woke up, the healing matrix prompted me to ramp down my
mind control
down, so the matrix could tell exactly where I had been injured.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I overdid it. I cut the
mind control
off.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Incredible pain
swallowed me. I
burst into sobs and uncontrollable tears.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Fortunately the healing matrix kept me from going into
shock. After a
few minutes I remembered I could ramp control back up.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By then I was soaked in
sweat. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">That
brought me to
the here and now.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was
incredibly
thirsty.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Stomach said a
solid meal was
in order.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I rolled out
of bed, every
muscle complaining. The floor was beautifully finished
silken-smooth hardwood,
chill beneath my bare feet. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
padded to my
bathroom for a glass of water.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
was
more than a bit cold, but water was definitely the first
priority.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then I dropped
into my down bathrobe, shoulder
and ribs protesting at the motion, and headed to the kitchen.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The night light threw a
feeble shadow along
the stairs in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Down
bathrobe?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’d left the
heat pump at low,
keeping the house temperature in the mid-50s, enough to keep
pipes from freezing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yes,
I have some neat photographs of the
Pluto ruins, taken with me and camera inside my body field, but
right now my
gifts were very definitely turned off. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The robe kept me warm, or I’d
be very cold
indeed. Doing the stairs was painful. I held firmly to the
railing, taking some
of the weight off my knees. Besides the hand-to-hand combat, the
Maze set other
physical and mental challenges, enough to push me to all my
limits.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mum had taught
me to be thoughtful and physically
vigorous, but endurance and weight training only take you so
far.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
oven clock said my
half past dark was in fact only an hour past sunset.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The oven light was more
than enough,
especially when I knew exactly where everything was stashed.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sunset? I must have slept
the day around.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No, I
had woken up once and again for a glass
of water. I’d had the foresight to cook in advance.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Cold chicken fresh off the
bone, soda
biscuits with unsalted butter, stir-fry curried vegetables
warmed in the
microwave,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>more chicken
and soda biscuits,
milk, sliced plum tomatoes, and finally rum raisin ice cream
with chocolate
fudge crumbles did just fine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
remembered to check the bathroom scale.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I’d lost weight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A
fair piece of
weight, even allowing I’m five-foot three in bare feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Very
soon I was
going to go back to sleep…the healing matrix said not-quite-dawn
as my drift
from slumber moment.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Was
there anything
I really had to do first? The very slightest bit of telepathy,
no matter how dizzy
it left me, confirmed ponies and barn-cats were fine.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The ponies would want
currycombing
tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dishes were
rinsed and in the
dishwasher.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Counters
were bare.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I dragged
myself up the stairs. My garb? It
was in the closet, absolutely clean, not a stitch out of place.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Clean?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>After what had happened to it? That must have been the
Namestone,
insisting that the Bearer always looks perfect.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>In fact, when I met Valkyria, my garb had been
immaculate, down to the
flawless drape of my cape.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’d
remembered to flare the cape so the video audience could see my
sigil.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Namestone?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Safe in its hidey-hole.
Anything else? Rules
engines, your opinions? The usual warning is that you can carry
one rules
engine ‘Marksman on how to shoot’, or if you’re really good a
second ‘Medico on
how to use your healing matrix’, but if you try four rules
engines you go
bats.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mum knew how to
break that
limit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m a working
demonstration.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have
like fifty of them
floating around, actually not inside my head where they’d cause
problems, all
being called at once.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">My
rules engines all
had something they wanted to tell me, but mostly they cancelled.
The ones on
buying and running a house were pretty calm. The <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">emergency priority</i> flag rose above ‘Psychist –
going bats for fun and
profit’.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Lesser Maze
was too much
for almost anyone. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was
building up
pressure again about Mum.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everything
I
now had, I’d earned for myself. For a moment bitter tears
overwhelmed me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I washed
my face, noticed I was getting cold
from standing in bare feet, and went to bed.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Curled up under my quilt, I drifted off, to sleep,
perchance to dream.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<b><span
style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times
New Roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:
major-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times
New Roman";
color:#365F91;mso-themecolor:accent1;mso-themeshade:191;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><br
style="page-break-before:always" clear="all">
</span></b>
<h1>Flashback<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Kniaz
Kang's Shanghai Marco Polo<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">North
Cosmopolis, Washington<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">7:30 AM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">January
10, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The sign
in the parking lot announced: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Kniaz
Kang's Shanghai Marco Polo. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Featuring
the finest in Chinese, Italian, and
Russian Cuisine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Invented
Here -- General Tso's Pizza! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Invented
Here -- Il Professore's Dessert
Pizza!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">It was
7:30 in the morning. The sun barely glowed
over the North Cosmopolis horizon, even at a restaurant atop a
hill. Inside,
Kniaz Kang himself -- a man who was not a prince and whose name
was not
actually Kang -- supervised the morning help in readying his
restaurant for
another day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The front
rooms were filled
with his regulars, early risers, and high school students from
Atomic Tech across
the street, all enjoying his superb breakfasts.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>After all, hash, egg rolls, borscht, and pizza were in
large part based
on chopping many things very finely, a skill that his employees
denied was a
gift. Kang turned to considering his customers and their wants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">In the
morning he served high school students,
and some of their teachers, though not in the same room. The
isolated corner
window was always reserved for the Gang of Three or So.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Teranike did not discuss
being what Kang
knew she was, namely a Polarian from Otherearth stranded when
her Empress
closed the WorldGate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Teranike
had taken
a room upstairs, did heavy physical work for the restaurant with
no complaint
or sign of fatigue, and did not emphasize what she had in her
suitcase.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She happily
ate whatever was set in front of
her, but who could fault her love of General Tso’s pizza, not to
mention Il
Professore’s dessert pizza--double fudge, the house specialties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Dorothy
Elizabeth Schumacher was North
Cosmopolis's best-known public persona.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>She had not planned to be public.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>However, when the assassin from the League of Terran
Justice walked up
to the front entrance of her high school, screamed "Down with
Private Education",
and started shooting up student automobiles, Dorothy had done
what any persona
should.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She put up her
force field, ran
directly in front of the agent thus taking some dozens of rounds
square in the
chest, and flying -- literally -- tackled the loon into a wall.
She was unhurt.
The loon ended in the prison hospital.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dorothy
confessed to being the known persona Silk, until then most noted
for having
rescued dogs, small children, and a moose from various
not-quite-frozen
ponds.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">It was
not until late the next fall that the
Greater Cosmopolis Séance and Channeling Society put Dorothy on
the national
news.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Society had
decided to channel
the greatest motion picture actor in the history of Oregon.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They expected to speak to
Stanford Smith, who
twenty centuries ago had made more than two hundred westerns and
gone on to be
Grand Trademaster of All Leviorkianu.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The Society's survivors were not quite clear on what went
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They obtained a
physical materialization, not
the expected disembodied voice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The
materialization was a two hundred yard tall reptile with
radioactive flame
breath. It waddled majestically toward the outskirts of North
Cosmopolis,
incinerating everything in its path. The first three persona
teams that tried
to stop it were flattened.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Silk
appeared on the scene.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Only
if you looked very carefully, Kang
recalled, would you observe that she was now wearing a force
field bracer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Any number
of people noticed that she was armed
not with her usual Ruggels 0.60 pistol but with a Krell
disruptor.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The flame
breath had no effect on her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her
first shot took down the creature, who
reverted into the Society's Occult Master.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Asked why she hadn't mentioned having the extremely rare
and powerful
Krell weapon, she said that she hadn't had it.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The now very ex-boyfriend had lent it to her.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He had it back.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They’d agreed, when they
broke up, that they
would forget each other.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A
mentalist had
ensured that she had no remaining memories of him. No one else
had known that
she had had a boyfriend, not even her parents, so questions
about him remained
unanswered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The usual
third at her table was the
seventh-grade boy who, if pressed, announced he was Silk's
heroic side-kick Joe,
he who protected her from truly dangerous villains.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Joe had his trusty
slingshot for that.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He
confessed that he never carried his
slingshot. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Someone could
get hurt. Today
Joe was missing in action.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Kang had
gone no further in reviewing his
customers and what new dishes he could inveigle them into trying
when the doors
slammed in.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Running
through them at top
speed was Kang's number-two man, Wang the Imperturbable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">"Lord
Kang!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lord Kang!" Wang
shouted in
Mandarin.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>"The Sun!<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Sun!<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>There is a central eclipse!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Kang
tapped the computer screen above his
chopping block. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Central
Eclipse’ had an
unfortunate implication, at least if you wished that people did
not try
insanely dangerous stunts that killed them. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Headlines scrolled across the
screen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was much
news, but the astral omen was
not yet reported.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He
tapped the screen
again. The All-Continent News Network was usually fast off the
start. There was
the "Special News Bulletin" warning.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The text alternated every few seconds between orange
lettering on a blue
field and violet lettering on a yellow field, colors reserved
for the most
serious emergencies. A half dozen split-screens came up.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was the sun, blinding
white, a black disc
covering its middle. As Kang watched the disc grew wider and
wider. The central
eclipse promised, in a few minutes, to block all sight of the
sun from anywhere
on earth. Voices from different video bands spoke. "First seen
ten minutes
ago in London...Observers in Athens heard celestial
trumpets...Moscow reports
the sky has turned imperial purple...We now join reporter Vera
Durand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Where are you,
Vera?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">"This is
Vera Durand." The
reporter's voice was sharp and clear.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Behind her were jagged rocks and a smooth marble terrace.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At the center of the
terrace was a staircase,
leading down.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>"I am now
broadcasting
from Atlanticea.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
sounds you hear
behind me are the waves of the Atlantic.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Atlanticea has just been raised from the ocean by the
power of the Holy
Namestone. Not one hour ago, a figure appeared above the
entrance to the Great
Maze and announced she would be contesting possession of the
Namestone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The island
promptly rose to greet her -- yes
The Martyr has indicated that the challenger is a ‘person of the
female
persuasion’.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She has
already entered the
Maze.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All-Band video
broadcasting of the
contest by the Namestone itself will begin momentarily."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">"Vera,
who is the challenger?"
network lead announcer Richard Markovian asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">"We don't
know, Richard," Durand
answered calmly. “The Martyr only revealed her gender. I just
caught a glimpse
of her. We have this very short take.” <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Across the video screen
flashed a figure. Form
behind, the figure was pale-haired and pale-skinned, seemingly
short, and
boyish in her build. “There were rumors that the League of
Nations Elite Strike
Team was going to try, very soon, to recover the Namestone, but
the solitary
figure who entered the Maze is not a League Operative.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Namestone translocated
us here just
before she entered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
had no interview
with her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I don't know
why the Maze
deemed her -- assuming 'her' is correct -- qualified to
challenge."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Kang
returned to his chopping, the thump of
his cleaver pausing only when he gave instructions to his
assistants.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>"Benito,
just keep making pizza
shells.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We're going to
have a huge
business today.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nikolai,
that cabbage
was a bit mature; steam it an extra ten minutes. Wang, lower the
sports video
screens.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Almost everyone
will want to
watch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Oh, there's the
announcement,
Governor Molnar is cancelling public school sessions; 'After
all, the kids will
be paying absolutely no attention'. Schools stay open so
children have a place
to be if parents are working.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Charles,
put that announcement up on the Big Sign." Kang looked over his
cash
register. Dorother Schumacher smiled back at him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">"Ah, Miss
Schumacher.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The usual
breakfast, the usual tab.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You
didn't know about this in advance?"
Kang asked. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">"Or will
you be the next
challenger?" She was a fine young woman, he thought, one who
uses her gifts
well and precisely.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">"Me?"
Dorothy answered
good-naturedly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>"Challenge
the Maze
for the Namestone? I just have a few gifts. If I flew to
Atlantis, the Martyr
wouldn't give me the time of day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>You
want to gossip about this, ask the people who take your private
classes."<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Kang lectured
several
evenings a week, she knew, on the hidden energies that underlay
all gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His large
classes appeared on video screens
across America.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He also
gave entirely
private classes to select students, many of whom were on their
national persona
teams, and some of whom were said to be wanted by members of
those persona
teams.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Registration
lists for private classes
were well-kept secrets.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>"I'm
going
to Tech's library to study.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thank
you
again for breakfast."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">"You are
always welcome here," Kang
smiled as he answered. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
sports screens now showed the Namestone's
video broadcast of the challenger, someplace in the Maze.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The view was always from
behind. The
challenger’s hair hid under a stocking cap, with strands of
yellow gold peaking
from underneath. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She
wore a long-sleeved
blouse and long trousers tucked into her boots. Her garb was an
off-white,
tight enough to show solid shoulders, a tight waist and wider
hips. Her face
was never seen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Very
briefly, she had
passed by a wall whose stone blocks had a historically-known
size. The
challenger had to be close to six feet tall.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Kang was puzzled.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This
woman did
not look entirely like the challenger Durand’s cameraman had
filmed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Were there two
challengers? Or had the maze
somehow tricked the cameraman? <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
Maze
as notorious for doing such things.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">"Miss
Schumacher, you are a woman of
iron will,” Kang continued. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“There
hasn't been a real challenge since that chess player, 40 years
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You aren't going to
watch?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">"Kniaz
Kang, whoever it is, she is going
to be shredded, degraded, hideously wounded, and in the end
beaten to death and
blown to pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Unless
the solid
shadows eat her. I couldn't stand to watch," Dorothy said. “I’m
not afraid
of doing something dangerous, if it’s gift-true, but watching
someone die—I
can’t face that.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">"I can't,
either," Kang
answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>"Which is why
I am not
facing a video screen, and why there is no sound behind the
counter.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The contest
will be over this afternoon, if
not sooner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At three
o'clock that will
be bright sunlight everywhere in the world when the Maze marks
its newest prey.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then I
can watch the news again."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">* * * * *<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Early
afternoon.
Kang stood in his restaurant, intervening as need be to maintain
the flow of
food and drink to his customers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>He’d
opened both kitchens, called in all the cooks and part-timers,
but keeping
ahead of the take-out and delivery crowd had been a struggle.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All that time, he never
looked at a video
screen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Someplace out in
the Atlantic,
someone was about to die, horribly, pursuing a hopeless quest
older than
history.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He couldn’t
hide from the
windows, though, windows that were brighter when the defenders
of the Maze did
well, dimmer when the challenger advanced.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The same was true all around the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Suddenly
all went
black outside.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He
couldn’t resist
glancing at the news feed. “Bangkok - sky is pitch black. Rio de
Janiero - the
sun just went out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Vienna
- only street
lights illuminate the Ringstrasse.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“This
is Vera Durand
on Atlantis.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s a
planetary total
eclipse.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not three
minutes ago, the
challenger was losing in hand-to-hand combat.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>She was grappled and unable to break free.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Suddenly everything went
dark.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Vera,”
Richard Markovian
said, “The Maze must have won.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Where
is
the Sun?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Here
on Atlantis,
even the stars have gone dark.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You
only
see me because my trusty cameraman has his own lamps.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Wait, I’m getting video
from the Maze again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Kang
stared at the
screen, unable to help himself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>All
activity in the kitchen ground to a stop.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The screens showed a long, white marble corridor,
illumined by two rows
of unblinking cressets, flames that burned without pause or
flicker.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A figure could
be seen limping away from the
camera, whatever the Maze used for cameras, toward an open door.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Who was it?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>What was going on? By now the guardian must have killed
the challenger,
but that was surely the challenger, still barely on her feet.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Kang held his breath.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
figure crossed
the threshold. Instantly, the room beyond was flooded with
sunlight, sunlight
visible nowhere else in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The
point of view shifted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
challenger stood
in the Tomb of the Martyr, the final resting place of the man
who had brought
the Namestone to Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There
was the
Martyr himself, lying in state atop his sarcophagus, his corpse
unchanged over
the thousands of years he had waited.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Above
his hands floated a glowing sphere of crystalline sky, the
brightest of royal blues.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He
held the Namestone, The Artifact That
Grants Every Wish, The Key to Paradise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
figure walked
slowly across the polished stone floor. A woman, Kang decided,
and very slim. Her
garb was torn and stained with blood. She’d lost the stocking
cap in a fight. Sweat
plastered her hair to her scalp. When she approached the Martyr,
stains and
rends in the fabric vanished.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her
hair
fluffed out, revealing short, perfectly cut curls. Down from the
ceiling
floated a pale grey cape. It folded over her shoulders, draping
perfectly, its
fall extending almost to her ankles.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She
reached down and tugged at the fabric. The cape flared,
revealing a sigil, a
solid circle overlapping a sun in glory. Kang had a near-perfect
photographic
memory. That sigil, indeed any sigil including a copy of part of
Lord of
Eternity Solara’s sun-in-glory sigil, he had never seen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">She
reached the
Martyr.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I am here,” she
announced. Her
voice, thought Kang, was an upper soprano, its tones brilliantly
clear.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I have read <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">The Copper Book of Harvest Stars</i> and obeyed its
mandates. I’m here
for the Namestone.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Are
you here to
take the Holy Namestone, the Key to Paradise?”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The voice came from everywhere and nowhere.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I am
here to ask
you for the Namestone, if I’m worthy.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So
speaks the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Copper Book</i>,”
she answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Kang
listened carefully to the voice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Speak
your name,”
the voice commanded.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Eclipse
is my
persona.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am glory
herself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Then
reach out,
Eclipse, and take the Namestone.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Eclipse cleared her throat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Someday, Kang thought, her children will cower in terror
at that
harmless sound. The restaurant was dead silent. Every
conversation had paused. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Diners
sat, forks paused in mid-air, staring
at the video screens.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Then reach out, Eclipse, and
I will give you
the Namestone,” the Martyr announced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Eclipse
leaned
forward.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Namestone
rolled from the
space above <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>the Martyr’s
hands into
Eclipse’s The martyr lay back, his hands now clasped together.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
cheers from the
restaurant audience were deafening.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Even
the oldest patrons would not have watched Jackie Fisher and the
combined Grand
Fleets being sunk, the last time a serious effort had been made
to recover the
stone, but most had seen that defeat from period motion
pictures. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The chess
player who forty years ago had won
three games, then quit while ahead three to zero, was viewed as
exhibiting another
of his fabled eccentricities. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For
this
day, mankind had waited thousands of years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Beyond
the
Sarcophagus were stairs leading up.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Eclipse
began a slow climb out of the Maze.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The sky
outside the
restaurant flared to bright daylight.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Video split screens showed the same all around the world.
From a total
planetary eclipse, now there was total planetary daylight.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“This
is Vera Durand
on Atlantis.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s
suddenly full daylight
again. It’s bright, the sky is blue from horizon to horizon, but
there is no
sun in the sky. I’m standing on a ledge close to the Grand Exit,
waiting for
Eclipse to appear.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ll
do my best to get
an interview,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">A
slight popping
noise came in the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Twenty
feet
to the side of the stairs, a tall, blonde woman wearing plate
mail and holding
a flaming sword appeared.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Richard,”
Durand said, “that’s unmistakably Valkyria, lead persona of the
League of
Nations Peace Enforcers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
must be surrounded
by her invisible teammates.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Valkyria?
Would you care to tell the audience how you feel at this
historic moment?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Valkyria
ignored
Durand. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her eyes
remained fixed on the
stairs, where Eclipse was about to appear..<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Kang wondered Valkyria she was thinking, but her helmet
hid her face. There
came the faintest sound of tearing cloth.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Standing twenty feet on the other side of the stairs was
a short,
solidly-built man dressed entirely in black: Black boots, black
trousers and
belt, black shirt and vest, and wide-brimmed, floppy,
solid-black straw hat.
His face was locked in a deep frown.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“That’s
the
Screaming Skull himself,” Vera said, not that any of her viewers
did not
already know.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Now a
Lord of Eternity is
here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">A
figure came up the
stairs from the Tomb.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
Namestone was
not to be seen. Her hair was as golden as Valkyria’s. From the
new camera
angle, there could be absolutely no doubt that the figure was a
tall young
woman. Kang felt momentarily puzzled.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Was this the person he had watched enter the Maze? The
body builds were
discordant. Momentary surprise crossed Valkyria’s face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Miss
Eclipse,”
Durand started, “what are your plans for…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Be
still, Durand. There
is important business.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
Screaming
Skull’s voice was as chill as a tomb. His face was as impassive
as the stone
wall behind him. Durand found herself frozen in place, unable to
move or speak.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Where
is she,
little girl?” Valkyria snapped.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Where is
the bearer of the Holy Namestone?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Kang
stared sharply at the video.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How
was it
that the Peace Enforcers did not know Eclipse’s name?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For that matter, how was it
that Valkyria
could not recognize the bearer? And why was Valkyria saying
‘little girl’?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I’m
about twenty
feet in front of you,” Eclipse answered calmly. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Aren’t
you … isn’t
the real Bearer a bit taller?” Valkyria asked.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Kang felt increasing confusion. The bearer appeared to be
Valkyria’s
height, that being close to six feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I am
tall.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Wait! Isn’t the
real Valkyria a bit less … pudgy?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Eclipse responded. Valkyria’s nostrils
flared. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was
nothing, Kang thought,
like a friendly, considerate opening to potentially delicate
negotiations. “I
mean, how do you keep fitting into that armor?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You!”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Valkyria shouted. “Inform
the Bearer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She is to
turn the Holy Namestone over to
League of Nations Supreme Chancellor Lars Holmgren.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Immediately! That is a
direct order!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I am
the
Bearer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you wanted
the Namestone, you
should have walked the Maze first and taken it,” Eclipse
answered<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Give
it to me! Now!
The League has decreed: The Namestone is the property of the
world.” Valkyria screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Give
it to you? You
and which army?” Eclipse said indifferently.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“This
one.” Valkyria
waved her fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Most
of the League of
Nations Elite Strike Force appeared at her back. Kang recognized
a fair number
of them as former special-class students. Disruptra and Madmind
wore the same
orange and violet garb, colors reversed, the first shredding
mentalic screens
and the second attacking with insane nightmares.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Plasmona, Electra, Lord
Roentgen, Eks, and
Enn had, respectively, a plasma beam, lightning bolts, coherent
X-ray blasts,
quark beams, and high-energy neutrons as attacks, all in power
ranges that
would swiftly turn a city to a pillar of fire. The folks in
League paisley with
copper-green trim were mentalists; he didn’t know any of them
well. Europalord
and his team wore identical green uniforms with sigil and trim
of 12-armed sun
crosses; they were all drains.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It
was a
safe bet that the League teleport block team was parked
someplace safe in
Europe. They would be targeting Eclipse through Valkyria’s eyes.
The area they
could cover was small, but that was perfectly adequate for this
situation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They had the
limit, Kang considered, that the
strength of a teleport block team was the strength of its
strongest member. If
the strongest member failed, the next strongest member would
still be blocking.
A team of weak blockers could still wear out a strong teleporter
by a process
of exhaustion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That was
one of Kang’s
standard classroom demonstrations. The Strike Force began to fan
out, left and
right, moving toward Eclipse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“That’s
far enough,”
Eclipse announced.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
Strike Force kept
advancing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Eclipse
gestured,
ending with hand facing skyward.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The
Namestone appeared, its cerulean fire burning a few inches above
her palm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
Namestone’s tuneless tune was faintly
audible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Eclipse, Kang
saw, had brought
up her own body aura, a color not different from the
Namestone’s, and what
sounded to be her own theme music, a mixture of brass and sweet
woodwinds clearly
audible in Durand’s microphone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Behold
the Holy
Namestone. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Come no
closer, or face my gifts.”
<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Someone, Kang thought,
had given her
superb training in rhetoric.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The Namestone is mine. I
took it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I keep it,”
Eclipse said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You
defy the
League!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>International
law specifies: The
League of Nations owns the Namestone. Hand it over!” Valkyria
shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You
know the Maze
Rule: Namestone belongs to he who takes it. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I took it,” Eclipse answered
calmly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“No, it belongs to the
League!” Valkyria
shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You
keep repeating
that same wrong statement.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
just told
you: I took it. It’s mine! Are you deaf, or just stupid? Or
maybe both; you’re
for sure stupid.” Eclipse answered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“The
Namestone is
too dangerous for mortals,” the Screaming Skull announced. “Give
it to me, or
face my wrath.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“And
you’re supposed
to be an improvement, fathead?” Eclipse asked. Kang’s eyebrows
rose.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Few indeed were
the number of people who
would gratuitously insult a Lord of Eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Team!
The Namestone
is indestructible! Kill her!” Valkyria drew her explosive
throwing katana.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That
weapon, Kang thought, packs the energy
density of a star-core bomb, liquid-density plasma at 20 million
degrees, albeit
plasma that disappears after spreading a few yards.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Valkyria threw the katana
at Eclipse. The
Screaming Skull gestured. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Black
hail
fell around the Namestone-Bearer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Flashes
of unbearably bright light marked the rest of the League
EliteTeam launching
their attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Something,
Kang decided,
was protecting Durand and the island, both of which would
otherwise have been obliterated
by the energies being unleashed. The camera’s electronic filters
were shielding
it from burnout, but made it impossible for Kang to identify the
attacks being
used. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Eclipse
simple stood
there, her shields unwavering as attack after attack struck her.
Finally the
throwing katana struck. She was swallowed in an impossible
bright sphere of
incandescent plasma. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
sphere vanished.
Eclipse was still there. She flicked her wrist.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The Namestone vanished. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She
stepped into a royal blue waterfall, unseen bells tolling,
leaving behind a
vacant flight of marble stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Teleport,
Kang thought, the waterfall and bells are the material traces of
her teleport.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And
someplace in Europe, a team of teleport
blockers are somewhere between having splitting headaches and
becoming little
clouds of incandescent plasma. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Kang
pondered what
he had just seen. The League of Nations Strike Team was among
the most powerful
groups of personas in the world. Valkyria’s throwing sword
created at least
evanescently the temperature found at the core of the sun. The
Screaming Skull
was a Lord of Eternity, a group whose powers almost defied human
comprehension.
<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All that, and this
Eclipse person’s
shields had not collapsed. Then she teleported away from the
battlefield. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Efficient
shields demanded much less power
than most personas would believe possible, but the defenses
Eclipse had
deployed against the Europeans and the Screaming Skull were
still extremely
impressive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<span
style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times
New Roman","serif";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New
Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><br
style="mso-special-character:line-break;
page-break-before:always" clear="all">
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0in;line-height:115%"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1>Chapter Three<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Hidden Fortress <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Morning<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">January
12, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Healing Matrix had
promised: I would wake
before sunrise.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Indeed,
here it was, not
yet seven in the morning, the sky still dark, and I was awake. I
still hurt a
lot.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was also
ravenously hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
Healing Matrix had done more in two days
than normal healing would do in two weeks, but it demanded
calories. You can
call on gifts instead of eating, if you have the right gifts,
but that’s not a
good idea at my age.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mum
was emphatic
about that, not that I wouldn’t want her cooking. Now I have to
put up with
mine. Not eating is an especially bad idea if you are doing
high-intensity
healing, which I am.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You
really want
solid food to replace all the chemical bits and pieces you are
consuming.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">My
bedroom’s
full-length mirrors confirmed that my cuts and abrasions were
gone, as though
they had never been. The Namestone had cleared up my face for
the video, but
the rest of me was healing more naturally.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The mirrors also showed I was looking a bit thinner than
I usually do. I
am girlishly slim.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
weigh more than
people think…muscle does that…but I don’t have that many pounds
that I can
afford to lose. Getting rid of possible scars thanks to
high-grade healing is also
good. Yes, there are guys who think a few strategically placed
scars make them
attractive to women.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
am not a guy,
thank you. And I am very much not convinced that scars, not to
mention
irregular shaving and under-bathing, make guys attractive.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">I
dutifully spent
fifteen minutes doing appropriate stretches and bends under the
healing
matrix’s guidance. The deep bruises would take a while to heal.
Exercise,
however painful, speeds the process. I had my mind control
ramped well up so I
did not exactly feel the pain, but there was surely a lot of it.
At the end, I
very much enjoyed a long, hot shower. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
time to start
wearing my boy clothing had arrived.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Most people see what they expect to see.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I dressed as a boy, in boys’ cotton corduroys, properly
lined and not at
all tight, not girls’ somewhat to much tighter blue jeans.
Actually, I like the
long-sleeve loose hunting shirts. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They
are heavy cotton jaquard weaves, warm, all with pretty
polychrome patterns.
They have nice big pockets, not to mention elbow patches. The
trousers are more
comfortable, too. Moose-skin slippers.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Hair combed with a part. Cue the slight crackle in my
voice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Anyone who met me
would see and hear a
boy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I might not be able
to do that in a
few years, but I can do it now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Today I
was going to
start dyeing my hair again.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By
now there
were probably ten million personas, not to mention most of the
world’s billion
people, all looking for me. Almost none of them qualified as
threats, but I
want peace and quiet, not a shootout every time I stop at a
grocery store.
Disguise is how I make that happen.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Notwithstanding Twain’s famous story, almost no one will
look at a girl
and think ‘this could be a boy in disguise’, let alone the other
way around. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And no one
would look at the dowdy old woman
in heavy coat, three pounds of pearl necklaces, blue hair, and a
heavy veil
from her fifty-years-since-stylish hat, and think they were
looking at me. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This
morning I could go outside wearing a
woven cap and no one would be around to notice the difference.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Meanwhile,
my
kitchen waited. Water started heating for tea. Pear and raisin
compote went
into the microwave.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Milk
and orange
juice went to the table. A steak went onto the electric grill,
followed in due
time by two slices of soda bread.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The
slow part of this was the steak -- I like mine close to
well-done. That’s why
it’s called well-done, after all, because it has been done well
rather than so poorly
it is still bleeding.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
breakfast room
has a small video; I cued up Eagle News-News for Adults.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They are sometimes a bit
heavy on financial
coverage, but focus on real news, not celebrity scandals.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was shocked, truly
shocked to find they
were talking about the Namestone and the mystery persona who
walked off with
it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was a brief
excursion into
other news notes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Alliances
between the
12 Great Powers drift slowly in time.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>After the 1908 Summer War, no one wants another World
War. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>National persona
teams are rough on small,
breakable objects, like forests and cities. International news
was still
uncomfortable. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Then
there was
something on the South American strangeness.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Invisible sky octopus” made no sense, but -- and my
attention was drawn
sharply toward the video.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Supposedly
an
Argentine village of 500 people had been destroyed overnight.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There were almost no
survivors. Kudos,
however, to the little boy who had grabbed his family’s camera,
pointed it up
as he ran, and snapped image after image.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Most of his family was safe, and he had really strange
pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tentacles.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Claws. Teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But
they weren’t
attached to each other, and moved in wrong ways. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A pair of images clicked in
my memories.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Those
weren’t pictures of a standard
quadridimensional object, but it was something like that.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Someone might be able to
decode the shape.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
leave that to folks who have copies of all
the picture files, lots of computer support, and some smart math
people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I like math, but
unscrambling those pictures
is way above what I know how to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Mentioning
know how,
the smell from the electric grill reminded me that I know how to
cook, and my
steak was approaching ready.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Setting
the
table left-handed was inconvenient, but my right arm was staying
below
shoulder-level for the next few days.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Hot water went into the tea pot.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>This was surely an Earl Gray morning.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>One thing I did not feel was sleepy. After all, I’d been
asleep almost
continuously for a couple of days.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
orange juice was
wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Butter and
currant jam did
fine on the soda bread toast.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
remembered to pace myself on eating.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As
the pangs of hunger faded, I started considering my to-do list
for the next
week.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Heal” was at the
top of the list.
“Dye hair” was this afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Eyelashes
are a nuisance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
Namestone was safe
in its jar.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I wasn’t
going near it until
I was completely recovered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It
lurked
behind a quarter-inch of impervium.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>People
looking for signs of my using it would be sorely disappointed.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My new bookcases were ready
for
mounting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’d finished
painting them
before I left. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Eventually
I would have
to do barn work, a real nuisance while one-armed. Not today. The
Healing matrix
was emphatic on that. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
ponies would
have to wait on being ridden.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tomorrow
I
would curry-comb them and check their hooves. We have soft soil,
and I do not
ride on roads.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not
having to worry about
horseshoes greatly simplifies my life.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The ponies still want to feel appreciated.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A few apples and some maple
sugar would
help.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’d like to ride,
but my ribs
needed to recover first.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
barn cats
had their automatic feeder, and good shelter for their nest.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I should pop the cat door
behind the kitchen
open.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Occasionally the
cats do like to
visit. They do not get to walk on my back while I’m sleeping,
not until I am
way better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was
still reading, and
lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I can’t say I
am behind,
relative to my grade level, not hardly, and I am tougher on
myself than Mum
was.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I still have lots
of reading I
could do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Now the
League of
Nations Secretary-General was on the video.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>He was throwing three kinds of fit.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>He was outraged.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
didn’t do what
he said I should.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There
was a price on
my head.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Two hundred
tons of gold.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Life loan
of the Mona Lisa. A bunch of noble
titles. I listened carefully to that one.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The Celestial Empire only gives titles to its own
citizens.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Austria-Hungary
was prominent for its
complete absence. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So was
Nippon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">League
artists had
generated drawings and paintings of me.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
video signals from Atlantis actually showed me as a blur.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>People saw sharp pictures
of me, it seemed,
because the Namestone had created illusions of what I look like,
in front of
every video screen in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The
news showed the drawings.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They
made my
hair gold-blonde.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m
square-jawed, not
pointy-tulip jawed. The garb looked impractical.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was way too tight to
move easily. Lots of
girls, ten years older than I am, would happily kill to have the
figure in the
drawings. I’m much happier to be me.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How
did the artists go that far wrong? Possibly Namestone showed
them someone who
was not me. That would explain why Valkyria was so confused.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She was looking for a hot
babe, minimally
dressed, in her mid-20s. She found me instead.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Not hot.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not
babe. Not vaguely
mid-20s. Perfectly decently dressed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Holmgren
introduced
his number-two man, the head of the League Peace Police. Mum had
said this
Dreikirch fellow was a Nationalist-Capitalist, someone barely
fit to live.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His rant
was even worse than Holmgren’s.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Today the League had an emergency meeting to
talk about me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I could
tell.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I wasn’t going to
get their cheers and
congratulations for solving the Maze.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">I
cleaned up after
breakfast, and decided that it was time for another nap. I was
alert, but
physically exhausted. When I woke the sun was beyond the zenith,
I felt much
better, and I really wanted something to eat again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Two
roast chicken
sandwiches, all grain bread, plenty of lettuce, just a bit of
butter, and more
of the curried vegetables did quite nicely.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I postponed the ice cream and fudge crumbles until later.
Water came to
a boil while I was cleaning up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Some
parents would have been scandalized that I was brewing coffee,
worse,
cocoa-tinged coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
really am a
persona, not easily poisoned.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Coffee
makes
me a bit sharper while I am reading, but all the alkaloids will
burn off soon
after I finished reading, leaving me ready to drop into sound
sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Besides, I really
am too young for chocolate
to have its alleged effect.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
suppose if
I always ate like this I would worry a bit about my figure, but
that is one of
my gifts. I may eat, but I remain leanly athletic. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">After
lunch it was
clearly time for my next book.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
suppose
I could start studying instead.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I could
also have read a history. For some reason, Mum did not entirely
approve my
reading historicals. I agree that most books on history are
pretty pointless.
Here are these great men and women and their heroic deeds that
you can copy.
Here is a record of past ages and their mistakes, leading upward
to the present
when we do everything right. If you don’t like moral histories,
there are
historical mysteries. Historical mystery books tend to be
completely
crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yes, it is hard
to understand how
the eight different civilizations of ancient Washington, 2000
years ago, could
clearly have coexisted along the Columbia River, had advanced
science,
technology, mathematics, and art, yet failed to notice each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Even if they
weren’t all there at exactly the
same time, whichever actually came later might in their historic
records
occasionally have noted ruins of the past. No such luck.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Massachusetts is even more
confusing. There
are 12 or 15, I tend to forget, different ancient advanced
civilizations whose
traces may be found near Massachusetts Bay. Most of them left at
least some
reasonably detailed historical records. Seven left observations
on the moons of
Jupiter and Saturn and Uranus, observations that make no sense.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They had the moons in the
wrong places. You’d
think they couldn’t see the sky. There was a mystery here, one
in which most
people seem to be remarkably uninterested. The people who are
interested in
ancient civilizations write totally crazy things.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They talk about world
civilizations of 50,000
years ago, before Homo sapiens evolved, with a remarkable
collection of
nonsense as allegedly serious evidence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">My
target today was
one of Mum’s forbidden books. Yes, I was feeling really out of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’d put off reading
any of those books while
I prepared for the Maze. I might not get much out of them, but I
was not going
to wait any longer. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Liouville’s
Butterflies</i> makes remarkable claims about historic time.
I’m not sure why
Mum didn’t want me to read it. I curled up in my comfortable
chair, my feet on
the large hassock, with a pot of mocha, pitcher of milk and
vacuum mug at my
side, pulled up a quilt, and began reading. The front part of
the book was
fairly simple. I could even understand it. There are computer
pictures of how
atoms move in air. They show -- I noticed that the book skipped
the proof -- if
you make tiny changes now, in not very long what happens is
hugely
different.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you do
time travel – I did
not just tell you whether I can travel in time or not – go back
not very far at
all, and make very small changes, when you come back the world
can be totally
different.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The famous
story is the
fellow who traveled in time to just before the maiasaurs started
their march to
intelligence, smelled a flower by shooing away a butterfly, and
when he
returned to the present there had never been a dinosauric
civilization.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Most small
changes have tiny effects, but
some are different.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Liouville
was a
French mathematician. The fellow after him was an American,
Gibbs. What they
showed, the part I had to struggle to understand even slightly,
is that the
past is as big as the future. No, let’s be honest.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I really did not understand
almost any of the
math parts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For what
they needed to
prove, they used calculus.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m
not
terrified of a single derivative, at least if someone else is
taking it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I even know
sort of what they are. Kind of. I
think. Maybe. Well, I asked Mum what they are, and she told me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">No, I’m
not one of
these people who have infinite math genius, but Mum always said
I was way ahead
in math. That’s way ahead, even though I actually have to learn
the stuff, not
have Mum pass it to me mind-to-mind.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Things
you learn mind-to-mind you aren’t creative with, not easily, so
I’ll have to
work really hard to write great love poems in Atlanticean.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m heartbroken, truly
heartbroken. Mum did
pass me lots of things not quite mind-to-mind, but she was
mostly interested in
helping me learn how to use my gifts effectively.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She thought using gifts was
way more
important than math, or science, or money technology. I could
learn those the
usual way at my usual speed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>GR,
my
usual speed is not slow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">In any
event, Gibbs
wrote down a whole forest of derivatives in a big square block.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Down on my study pad went
‘Hamiltonian’,
‘Jacobian’, ‘determinant, ‘permutation’, and a bunch of other
words I don’t
know.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I suspected there
were a lot of
parts I did not know yet, even before I got to the forest of
derivatives.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When I
reached the derivative forest I took a
break for the caramel ice cream and fudge crumbles…a lot of
fudge crumbles. Still,
it was a forbidden book, and I have all the time in the world,
if I’m real
careful, to learn it. All the time in the world? While I’m doing
heavy-duty
healing, I’m aging backwards. Balancing that so I never get
older…that’s really
hard. The original Gibbs proof about the past and the future was
two short
paragraphs of which I could make neither head nor tail. The book
spent 30 pages
breaking the Gibbs proof up into small parts. Each part was
supposed to be easy
to follow. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fellow
who wrote the
small parts is said to be the greatest science writer since
Amizov, Amizov
being the muse of clear science writing. Except when I talked
about muses with
Mum, for Terpsichore she had an image of this statue, but for
Amizov she
remembered fondly this old guy with funny whiskers. I even
understood two of
the parts that he wrote. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s
just that
after you had followed all the small parts you had come a very
long way, and
you wondered if you had really come all that way or if the wool
had been pulled
over your eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">I
skipped to the
end.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Forward said it
was GR to skip
like that. There was the image, translating the forest of
derivatives to a
simple picture.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
picture I understood.
I think. The picture is pawns on a huge chessboard. The pawns
represent whole
worlds where history started out slightly differently. They
start out next to
each other, farther away sideways being stranger.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By the time you get well
sideways across the
chessboard, history is completely different. The start points
are ancient time.
The simple view of history is that the pawns all move forward
one space at the
time, always staying in their own file. Worlds that start very
similar to ours
end up very similar to ours. Worlds that start out very
different end up being
very different. The butterflies show that every so often a pawn
takes off
sideways, so two pawns that start next to each other do not end
up that way.
The pawn next to ours marches off sideways and ends up halfway
sideways across
the board. That’s maiasaurs not becoming intelligent. You might
think that
would simply leave a gap in the file next to ours. No, there are
as many files
at the start of history as there are at the end. What Liouville
and Gibbs showed,
and someday I will understand that part of the book, is that
every file was
full at the start of time, so when we reach the present every
file must still
be full, one pawn per file. If the pawn next to us took off and
ended up way
across the board, there must be another pawn that started off
someplace way
across the board and ended up at our shoulders. I thought the
mirror imaging
looked pretty obvious. We’re not someplace special.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If some of our
nearby-at-start pawns end up
someplace else, pawns from someplace else must end up nearby,
because if they
didn’t we would be at someplace unusual, somoepalce pawns from
far away could
not reach. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lots of
people get extremely
upset with the idea that world history could’ve started off
completely
different than ours, but when we get to the present our two
worlds are almost
the same<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">. Liouville’s
Butterflies</i>,
the forbidden book, is the famous proof that some worlds
converge. The rest of
the book is the arguments about what Liouville’s result means. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">All
good things come
to an end<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">. Liouville’s
Butterflies</i>
was no exception. I looked up and realized it was well after
dark outside. GR,
it’s January.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dark
happens early. My mocha
pot was empty. For all I hadn’t understood most of it, I’d
really been
concentrating on the book, concentrating hard enough that I
didn’t think about
my pain. I still hurt, a lot. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’d
dodged
the sword. At the end, just as I slit the fellow from end to
end, I’d had to
take getting gut-punched. Hard.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Things
were still uncomfortable down there. Before I started reading
I’d remembered to
pull up a quilt, so I hadn’t gotten cold. My gifts will protect
me from cold,
but only when I’m calling them. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
left
the rest of the book for tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Meanwhile
I needed
more food, but the healing matrix said first I needed some
rigorous stretch and
bend exercises, my partly-healed ribs protesting where force
fields kept them
clamped absolutely rigidly together. Then I got to eat. Cooking
is a big time
sink, there being only one of me, but I actually can cook, so
some of my
lentil, spinach, and kielbasa stew moved from freezer to
microwave, followed by
shredded lettuce, slivered carrots, and a few artichokes onto a
big salad
plate. Lemon juice, a scoop of chickpeas and chopped onions
marinated in Roman
salad dressing, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese followed.
After dinner would
be a short nap, and then chemistry and astronomy.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had cleaned the house
thoroughly before I
left. It could wait a few more days.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">GR, be
honest with
myself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The short nap
was another nine
hours. I lay down on my bed, pulled the quilt up to my
shoulders, and when I
awoke it was well closer to dawn than dusk. Yes, when I need to
I can really
draw deeply on my gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Afterward
I pay
a price, and not a small one, either.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Perhaps someday, when I grow up, that won’t be as much of
an issue.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But right now
I’m only me, and I only have
the gifts that I have.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On
the positive
side, I always liked getting up early enough to watch the sun
rise. After nine
hours of deep sleep, I really was awake again. I’d be happy to
say the
stretches and bends weren’t as uncomfortable as yesterday,
except they were
worse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span
style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times
New Roman","serif";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New
Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><br
style="mso-special-character:line-break;
page-break-before:always" clear="all">
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0in;line-height:115%"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h1 style="text-indent:0in">Chapter Four<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Wells
Residence<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Arbalest
Street <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Medford,
Massachusetts <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Evening<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">January
12, 2018 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">For the
Wells family, dinner approached
completion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Wind from
the blizzard
rattled tree branches and whistled through the house’s ornate
eves.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All the blinds in
the breakfast room were
pulled, covering three walls of glass with honeycomb fabric.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That was
really good Indian pudding, mom,” Janie Wells said, pushing
pitch-black falls
of hair back from her ears. Thanking Mom was always good, she
thought, so long
as you gave brother Brian credit for whatever he cooked. His
cooking was
wonderful, as good as Mom’s. Janie’s much-taller year-older
sister Jessamine
Trishaset nodded enthusiastic agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Thank
you,” Abigail Wells said. “My recipe,
but Brian did all the work. And grades? It being that day for
you seventh and
eighth-graders?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Mostly
A’s,” Trisha said. “Except Gym. C-.
GR, I have to be really careful not to give away I’m a bit
faster than some
other kids.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I
suppose faster than sound qualifies as a
bit faster,” Patrick Wells remarked.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“And it’s good of Sunssword to go flying with you.”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Trisha’s father took off
his glasses, and
waved them in one hand. “Your mystery patron supplied you, all
three of you,
with garb that does hide who you are. Or would have, if you two
hadn’t given
things away.” Janie wondered if Dad was playing dumb, or if he
was
teasing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He could hardly
not know that
Trisha did all the sewing, though it was her games winnings that
paid for the
fabric, and…Janie allowed that Trisha’s top flight speed was
indeed faster
than…sound.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Da-aad,”
Brian complained, not quite seriously.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The other choice was
getting stomped flat by
a giant robot.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It could
have appeared
anywhere in Massachusetts, and it just had to appear right in
front of my
school. Besides, I got A+s on everything. GR, they won’t let me
get way above
grade level yet, not like you, Trisha, so you have a
disadvantage.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“That was
algebra we were both studying,
wasn’t it, Brian?” Trisha said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“And
next year they get out of your way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“To
answer your question,” Janie added, “I got straight As on my
exams, well, mayhaps
not A+s in all of them.” She tried to hide her annoyance that
Brian had better
grades. Again. That was so annoying. It wasn’t unreasonable, she
allowed; he
put more time into studying school books, but she studied
something far more
important.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Games!<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Except Romeo and Juliet
makes absolutely no
sense at all.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I just
wrote down what I
memorized from those other books. You were right, Dad.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finding those other books
helped a lot, no
matter how stupid they were, when I needed to write crazy stuff
on my exams.
But if I had crossed out half the ‘not’s in my sentences, what I
wrote would
have made exactly as much sense. The teacher said it was lots of
extra books,
not just one, and I could name them, so I got my A. How did you
do it, Brian?
How did you pull an A+? We read the same extra books.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Oh,”
Brian said, “I added stuff about ‘the
unbearable agony of separation’. Whatever nonsense that is. I
lifted it from
one of Trisha’s romance novels.” <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Janie
rolled her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Brian
was reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">romance</i>
novels? Yuck! But it had been a
pirate novel, and his last model had been a pirate <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">ship</i>, so it wasn’t totally stupid.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I only
have one romance novel!” Trisha
interrupted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“It’s a
reading
assignment.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For my genre
fiction
requirement! It’s unbearably awful.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s
even worse than that Russian thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Sorry,”
said a chastened Brian.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“But
you see, that novel was good for
something.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You made the
sacrifice, you
read<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>it, and it got me
an A+.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You
talked about, yuck, romance novels?”
Janie asked. “That’s gross!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And
what do
they have to do with that silly play? You think I can get an A+
if I insert
something intelligent instead? I could talk about Chess or City
of Steel or
outward influence on my next English exam.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Yes, outward influence. Those crazy dueling families in
Romeo and Juliet
and Hamlet do things to get spread-out advantage far away.
That’s outward
influence.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And at the
end everyone is in
zugzwang, and they all move anyhow, littering the stage with
bodies. That’s
what I should have said, and for sure I would have had my A+.”
Janie decided
not to notice her parents shaking their heads. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I lucked
out,” Brian said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I
guessed Romeo and Juliet had something to
do with romance novels.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
can’t tell
what. I wasn’t really sure.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“What if
I try inserting some of the
instructions from one of your model ships…”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Janie’s voice trailed off. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><Miss
Wells?> The interruption was
mentalic. The telepathic voice came with the image of a short
woman wearing the
pale cream with copper-green trim uniform of a FedCorps
mentalist. Her black
hair had a widow’s peak matching Janie’s.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><? I’m
having dinner,> Janie answered.
<Can’t interrupt.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dad
would kill me. You
have to wait an hour!> This was weird, she thought.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She never had strangers
call her
mentalically, but this woman was the fourth today. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The other three got her
BellRadio number and
called by voice. She checked her mental shields again,
carefully, just like
Sunssword had taught her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You
had to be
really careless to take damage through a telepathic link, but it
could be
done.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It would not be
done to her, she
told herself. Who was the woman?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Not a
senior gamesman she knew personally. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then she realized: The woman
was Krystal North,
Commander of the FedCorps personas, and she had other people
with her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><This
is the Washington, Federal District,
and it’s important!><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Krystal
North
said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><And
this is Massachusetts, where America
was founded,> Janie answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span><We’ve been here two thousand<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>years. The world waits for us.><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Janie heard the echoes of another mind, someone older
than Grandpa,
being amused by the exchange.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><Speaker
of the House Ming wants to speak
to your dad,> North said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That
remark
came with another image, the Speaker in his robes. <You’re in
danger of
being kidnapped. Again.><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><My
apologies for interrupting,> Speaker
Ming’s voice came though the link. <There’s a major national
issue here. I
need to ask you about City of Steel, and your move against
Kurchatov.><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Jane
Caroline,” her father announced, “We
know you are a telepath, and so are some of your friends, but
having them
interrupt dinner is as rude as answering the Bell phone while we
are eating.”
Patrick Augustus Wells never raised his voice, but his tone was
completely
clear to all three of his children.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><I’ll
ask,> Janie said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><But
Dad is going to kill me.><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Daddy,
that isn’t a friend,” Janie answered.
Her father raised his eyebrows.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Well,
she’s friendly. You met her. That’s Krystal North, herself. You
know, Krystal
North, lead of the American Persona League. She was here two
years ago. When
Trisha and I got kidnapped.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She
wants me
to forward a mentalic call to you, Daddy. The Speaker wants to
talk.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Privately. I had
to get across: We’re having
dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He has to wait.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She said they are in the
Federal District. I
said back we are in Massachusetts, and that’s better. Two
thousand years ago, Massachusetts
created America. She was a bit stubborn. But I was more
stubborn.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Speaker?”
Patrick asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Speaker
of the House,” Janie said. “Speaker
Ming.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The top guy in
Washington. He was
very polite about asking if he could interrupt dinner.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He said it was very
important.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I said I’d
have to ask,” Janie answered. She
decided not to mention that through her Krystal North, Speaker
Ming, and
whoever else was at the other end were still hearing the
conversation. Her
parents already had those looks on their faces.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“What is
going on?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Janie’s
mother asked fearfully.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Abigail
Wells wished her children had been
less involved in persona events, even if none of them had been
their fault.
“Have you been doing the persona thing again? Blowing up more
robots? And not
telling us?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“No!”
Janie realized that she was at the edge
of getting into really deep trouble, for something that was not
her fault. “No,
Mommy. And the robots last December were trying to kill Brian
and me and our
whole class.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I didn’t do
anything.
Speaker Ming wants to ask me about City of Steel, and needs your
and Daddy’s
permission to talk to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I
suppose you should be honored,” Patrick
Wells said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I didn’t
even know the
Speaker plays City.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I think
he doesn’t,” Janie answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“He
didn’t sound like he did. That’s his
private business. I shouldn’t’ve told you that.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>It’s one particular move.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The one
Eclipse used to beat the Maze. It’s the move I pulled on
Kurchatov, only
better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was saving
that variant for
the National, and… Now Eclipse used it first!” Janie pounded a
delicate fist on
the kitchen table. It was unbelievably terrible. Her move had
been used, and
not by her. Now it would be Eclipse’s Gambit, not Jane’s First
Gambit! “No one
knew about that move. No one.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She
pounded her fist again, then looked momentarily thoughtful.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Dear,
dinner or not, the Speaker is a very
busy man,” Patrick said. Hopefully, he thought, my daughter did
not insult him
too much. “Perhaps you should forward what he has to say, to all
five of
us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And you two bite
your tongues.”
Patrick looked meaningfully at his other two children.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“GR,”
Janie said. Suddenly the other four
members of the Wells family saw, standing directly in front of
each of them, a short
woman wearing a cream tunic and trousers. Standing to her right
was an elderly
gentleman, balding, silver-haired, smiling, eyes sparkling,
dressed in the
scarlet robes, high-collared cape, and beret assigned by law to
the Speaker of
the House. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“My
apologies,” Speaker Ming said, “for
having intruded, and I hope that young Janie here is not in any
trouble as a
result of my intrusion, but the hour seemed late enough to be
after dinner,
though I see I was mistaken, and the urgency of my interruption
is indeed
great. In any event, the issue is that the Bearer of the
Namestone played City
of Steel against the Lesser Maze and used a novel move, rather a
move that was
novel until it was traced back to Miss Wells here. I gather that
the Bearer
actually played a variation on Miss Wells’ original move. There
is great
interest in what light Miss Wells can shed on the move. My own
position, which
I have been heard to say repeatedly by the press, is that the
Bearer–this
Eclipse person--took the Namestone fair and square, so she now
owns it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Janie
knows how to reach me once you decide
on an answer,” Krystal North added, “but time is of the essence.
From the
number of hits on the web pages of City of Steel Review, in
particular the
pages corresponding to Janie’s games, a large number of other
people would seem
to have figured out the same thing we did.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I get a
champion, don’t I?” Janie asked.
Sunssword had explained all about champions, something ‘you need
to know’.
“Someone who makes sure no one takes advantage of me?” Krystal
North nodded in
agreement. “GR, I know exactly who to ask. Who’s questioning me?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If Dad and Mom agree?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“The
North American champion,” Krystal North
said. “The Visitor. That’s Kurchatov and Hornpiper.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Speaker Ming. Mayhaps the
Supreme Gamesman. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ll
provide mentalic support, to keep people
honest. We’re ready in an hour. However, it’s up to you to agree
or not.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Janie
caught Krystal North’s nod and broke
the link. “Daddy, mommy,” Janie said, “I could hear what was
behind her
thoughts. She thinks something bad probably happens to me very
soon now.
Tonight, even. Unless I agree. I get to ask a friend to our
house. Someone to
protect me. If they question me. Daddy knows Professor
Lafayette. That’s a good
choice of champion.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Not your
coach?” Abigail Wells asked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Lafayette?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Who is he?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Champion?”
Brian asked. Janie reminded
herself that Brian was a boy, so he wasn’t supposed to pay
attention to things
that he didn’t care about, even when they were important. And he
hadn’t carried
about champions. Boys! She thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“She,”
Patrick corrected. “Morgana Lafayette.
<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Works at Rogers Tech.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In biochemistry.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She showed up at the back
door, right after
Janie and Trisha were almost kidnapped.”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Abigail looked perplexed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Human
female, tall, gold-blonde, blue eyes, not nearly as pretty as
you are, dear.”
Abigail broke into giggles,then nodded. Patrick was describing
the persona
Sunssword, but using her private persona name, the name Abigail
had never
heard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“But why,
Janie, didn’t you just say
Sunssword?” Abigail asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Sunssword
doesn’t want her public persona to
be tied to me,” Janie said, “She’s real careful where she
coaches us. We never
name her private persona. I thought you knew who she was, Mom.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But Daddy knows Professor
Lafayette. They
both work at Rogers, so no one is surprised to see Professor
Lafayette being my
champion.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“In
particular,” Abigail said, “Sunssword
never told me who else she was, and has that garb that doesn’t
let you most of
her face.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And you were
polite to
Sunssword, not telling me who her private persona was.”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sunssword, Abigail
considered, had done
mentalic checks that Janie and Trisha had not been hurt when
they were
kidnapped. Now Sunssword was coaching the three Wells children
on using their
gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Besides
being a persona,” Patrick said,
“Morgana Lafayette is also one of the country’s leading
biochemists. She mostly
gave up trying to keep her public persona a secret. She’s a
member of the Stars
Over Boston. Or was, anyhow. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They
had
another stupid argument about theology. GR, opinions on the
Speaker’s request?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I think
we’d better,” Abigail said. “If it
makes Janie safer.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Trisha
shrugged. “Sunssword is a nice person.
We go flying sometimes. But I’ve only met her public persona. To
me she’s
Sunssword. She taught me cloud-diving. In fact, Janie, you knew
she was
Lafayette, but you never told me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>That’s
you really being gifttrue.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Incredible
bragging rights,” Brian
announced. “Grandmasters come here to learn City of Steel from
Janie.” The guys
will never top this. Not even if they get home runs off the
Boston Doves’ lead
pitcher.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I think
we agree,” Patrick said, “unless
Janie has really strong objections.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Just so
they don’t ask me about my other
variants on that move. “ She paused, thinking. “No, I can tell
them about some
variants. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And champion,”
Janie
explained, “Means a government persona shows up to talk. You get
a persona to
watch your back.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Yes,
they would be asking Janie about City
of Steel, wouldn’t they,” Patrick said.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Having said that, these people are my guests in this
house, and you
will treat them politely.” He stared at his son. Brian nodded
vigorously.
“Janie, I’ll phone Morgana. It’s simpler.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">A few
minutes later, there came a knock at
the back door.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Lafayette
is here!” The
speaker’s voice was a rich soprano. “You called, Professor
Wells?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Patrick
stepped through the vestibule and
opened the door. “I did indeed, Morgana.” Patrick stood aside to
admit the tall
young woman.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She wore a
baggy royal-blue
sweater and loose blue jeans, but seemed unbothered by the
blinding snow,
gale-force winds, and below-zero weather.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Nor had snow lodged in her hair or clothing. Patrick
turned to his
family. “I believe you all know Professor Morgana Lafayette,
under one name or
another.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Morgana
took Patrick’s hand, just for a
moment. “I’m not in garb, so Morgana is good.”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>She glanced at Patrick’s children as she swept around the
table. “Have
you three been staying out of trouble?” Patrick decided not to
notice his twin
children looking furtively at each other. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For Abigail Wells she had a
firm hug. “It’s
been way too long. We should really get together to talk. Soon.
I can always be
free at lunch.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“There’s
more Indian pudding if you’d like
some,” Trisha announced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You have
to ask?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Please?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I know your mom’s cooking. Or is it yours?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, we have almost no
time,” Morgana
said. “I know it’s not polite, but, Janie, please give me a fast
update
mind-to-mind of what they all know.” The two women stared at
each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“That was
just what you’ve all heard,”
Morgana said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“GR, have
you folks ever
had a champion before? It’s like having an attorney. What mostly
matters is
that at the end Krystal North wants mentalic contact with Janie,
to confirm
that what Janie said was true.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That’s,
well, it’s not dangerous, but while that was going on Janie
would be relatively
open to someone trying to tamper with her mind. I’m here to stop
that. Also, Krystal
is well behaved, but sometimes you find persona who try to shout
or bludgeon
people into submission.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Worse,
our
friends across the waters have some very different opinions
about good manners.
Some idiot from over there might try to kidnap Janie and
interrogate her about
her hypothetical contacts with the Bearer. That’s <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">forcibly</i> interrogate.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m
very definitely here to stop that. ”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“What’s
the issue?” Patrick asked. “Janie,
you didn’t have time to tell us everything.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“They
think I know who has the Namestone,”
Janie answered. “Or I have the clue! The clue tells them who has
the <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Namestone.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>It’s all in that City of Steel move.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The one I was going to spring at the Nationals. But
Eclipse used it
first! I hate her!” Once again a delicate fist pounded on the
breakfast room
table. “Speaker Ming, when I was speaking to him before before
you heard him,
said ‘If your parents will consent to having you questioned by
the American
Persona League, we can say that you have been questioned,
everything that could
be learned from you has been learned, and therefore you should
be left alone.’”
Janie decided that photographic memory actually did have other
uses, like
remembering exactly what other people said, even if they were
way less
important than game-related uses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Did you
ever tell anyone about the move?”
Morgana asked. “That’s what they want to know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I never
used it in a match,” Janie
said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I was saving it
for National. Now
Eclipse used it! Well, I have friends my age who come over to
play Steel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We try all
sorts of moves, but we don’t
record.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Actually,
these days it’s mostly one
friend,” Abigail said. “Joe Cartwright is a very polite young
man, well, boy,
he being about your age, Janie. You said he was a good player.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“He got a
lot better,” Janie said. “And he’s
barely one year older than me.” She turned at her brother.
“Don’t say it,
Brian.” Her tone of voice held a touch of steel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I wasn’t
going to say he’s your boyfriend,”
Brian rushed out. Janie briefly considered, enthusiastically,
unpleasant things
that could happen to her twin brother.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Honest! You think I want you and Trisha to kill me, just
because I
deserve it? Besides, he’s not. Your boyfriend, I mean. And I
wasn’t going to
say the other thing you told me, either.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Brian!”
Janie and Trisha did not quite shout
at their brother. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Oops!”
Brian managed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“And this
would be, Brian Arthur?” Patrick
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Joe
asked me not to bring it up, Dad,” Janie
said. “Because it didn’t matter, and I knew that you knew it
already. He’s the
guy who saved Trisha and me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Except
I
thought you and mom both knew.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Or
did
you only meet Joe’s mom?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“He’s the
young man who saved you? He is an
extremely polite, well-brought-up boy. It’s very nice of you,
Janie, to reward
him by playing City of Steel,” Abigail said. Especially, she
thought, very nice
by comparison with some of the other ways young girls sometimes
thank young men
who risk their lives to save a young lady. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“And you,
Trisha?” Abigail
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt">Trisha blushed deeply. “Umm, Joe and I, we went
cloud-diving a couple
of times. Cloud-diving! Nothing else!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Complication
planet!” Morgana said. “And
we’re way short of time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“What’s
wrong?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Janie asked.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Joe can’t have the Namestone.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>He’s a boy!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
Bearer is a girl.
The Bearer looks like you, Professor Lafayette, not him.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well, sort of like you, if
you wore slightly
tighter clothing. Then you’ld look like her.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Joe’s mom is too tall to be the bearer. Joe doesn’t have
any brothers or
sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He told me.
Besides, I’m not
even sure I played that move against him.” Janie was baffled.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Joe couldn’t possibly have
anything to do
with the Namestone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Slightly
tighter?” Morgana rolled her
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“As in
‘spray-painted on’? <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Except
I’m quite sure the real Eclipse doesn’t
look like the paintings. Valkyria didn’t recognize her. The
wanted posters give
the bearer my height or Valkyria’s -- five-ten or so -- but the
real Eclipse is
I’d guess five and a couple-four inches. No matter. The
complication…let’s save
that for later. Where does this Joe live? How do you phone him?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Who are his parents? If
Janie might have
played this move against him, they’re going to want to question
him next.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I’ve
only met him twice,” Patrick said.
“Dear, it must be in your Rolodex.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I
thought you knew, Patrick,” Abigail
answered. “Janie, you must have visited his house.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Ummh,
er, no. I have the good City playing
set. He teleports, remember?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He
could
live anywhere,” Janie answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“But,
that’s odd.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I never
thought to ask. I
always get Bell numbers and interlink IDs from new friends,
first thing. I just
never thought of it.” How did I forget? Janie asked herself.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was really annoying,
especially if Dad and
Mom decided to blame her for forgetting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“We
talked a few times,” Trisha said. “He was
very nice and polite.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
figured you had
his address and everything, Janie.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Let’s
save this for a bit,” Morgana said.
“But there’s something a bit odd…later!<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>GR, tonight they’ll teleport in.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Your driveway would be good, except there’s two feet of
snow on it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I’ll
take care of that,” Trisha said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>She faded into a blur of motion headed for
the basement stairs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Just a
moment,” Janie said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I
have to find Krystal again, tell her we’re
good for 8 P.M.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“And
there’s a blizzard so they need their
winter clothing,” Abigail added.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“They do
want to bring the Supreme Gamesman,”
Janie finally said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“He’s
visiting from
Russia. I agreed. I’ve never met him! It’s wonderful! Dad, you
need to get some
photos of the four of us standing over my game table!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Trisha
reappeared from nowhere, leaning
against a kitchen cabinet. “I shoveled the driveway, Dad,” she
announced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“In two
minutes?” Patrick said. “What if the
neighbors saw you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You can
hardly see the house next door, and
the Goosedotrs are in Florida. You can’t see the street lights.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Besides,” Trisha added, “I
was invisible the
whole time, and behind the snow cloud I raised.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Invisible?”
Patrick asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Like
this,” Trisha said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She
vanished from sight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I’m
right here but you can’t see me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Well, maybe you, Professor. I was going to
tell you all what I just found as a gift, but these other things
came up.” Her
voice came from the same part of the room as before, but nothing
was to be
seen. Trisha reappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Shoveled?”
Abigail asked. “The entire
driveway?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not ‘flew the
snow onto the
lawn’?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Shoveled.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>As in ‘I’d like to take a shower and change my clothes’,
that being
really a lot of shoveling I just did. And not ‘flown’.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’d for sure accidentally
pick up the concrete.
”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Trisha,”
Brian asked, “That was the last of
the Indian pudding, but shall I heat some of my apple pie up for
you? And warm
milk? For when you come down here again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Please?”
Trisha answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That
was really a lot of snow.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You
could have asked for help,” Patrick
reminded.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Don’t
work too hard,” Abigail added.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You
could hurt yourself.” Janie realized
that no one else caught Trisha tensing when Trisha heard what
Mom had
said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mom kept saying
things like that,
and Trisha kept being more and more hurt and retreating into
herself. Trisha’s
feelings really hurt when her parents put her down like that,
but there was no
way, Janie realized, for her younger sister to help. Once or
twice, Mom had
reduced Trisha to tears saying things like that, tears that
Trisha’s superspeed
let her hide.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Mo-om!
You guys were all busy,” Trisha
answered, diffusing the line. “And it’s really fluffy snow. I’ll
be back down
in a bit.” She vanished in a blur.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Folks,”
Morgana said, “The clock is ticking,
and I can readily tell Jessamine Trishaset is just fine. Your
Indian pudding
was wonderful, Brian, especially since I skipped dinner.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And lunch. There was a
major NIH grant due,
but it is done.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I think
there’s another slice of my pie
left,” Brian said, “and the vanilla ice cream I made yesterday.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Trisha will want some,
too.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I can’t
just…” Morgana began to protest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You will
have a real dinner, Morgana,”
Abigail interrupted, “and we should have you over more often,
now that I know
who you are. My family has been scrupulous about respecting your
privacy.
Though looking at the clock, dinner is perhaps after this
meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While you three
are doing your homework.” The
last sentence was directed at her children.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Already
done,” Brian said. “I was going to
work on my new model.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m
making real
progress.” His current project, the ship-of-the-line <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">George Washington</i>, had 1200 pieces, most requiring
modest
woodworking prior to assembly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Me,
too,” Janie added. “Grades night.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Not much homework. But my new stones book is on
thickness.” I’m not making enough progress in playing stones,
she thought.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have to
work harder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Thank
you,” Morgana answered. “No, really.
Dinner would be great. But we’re running short on time.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Let’s see where I am.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Janie, you played the move
against Kurchatov.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You
have not, if I heard right, ever used the
Eclipse move in match play. You were saving it for the
Nationals. Right? You
have friends your own age over for play. Are any of them any
good?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Janie
shook her head. “Not really. But we
play, and they get better. Joe improved the most.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sometimes I play
Territories on-line.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Anonymously.
<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Worlds of Warfare site
doesn’t allow personal
information. They don’t know who I am.” They just know, she
thought, that I
thoroughly thrashed them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“And
there was this communications gap on who
Joe is. Except he teleports. And has some combat skills. He was
a friend your
age. Am I right so far?” Morgana asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Completely,”
Janie answered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Did you
ever talk about him rescuing you?”
Morgana asked. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><You
two weren’t
carrying on, Janie, were you? I know you’re way young for
that, but it matters
legally, so I have to ask.></i> The telepathic question
went unheard by the
rest of the Wells family.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><No!
Absolutely not!></span></i><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"> Janie
tried unsuccessfully not to sound offended. What did people
think she was! “We
kept in touch, after he rescued us. Well, he and I could reach
each other
mentalically. I never needed to phone. We’d agree on good times
for him to show
up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mom and Dad said it
was all
right.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Didn’t you, Dad?”
Janie asked. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She had
asked, she told herself, and he a
seemed to understand her question. “And sometimes we all played
base ball nines
together. A few times, Brian needed a couple extra players for
his team. Trisha
was always catcher. She insisted. And never managed to hit the
ball.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Trisha,
now dressed in a scarlet red
pantsuit, cuffs and collar ornately stitched in orange flames,
reappeared and
sagged bonelessly into her chair. “I might have hit the ball out
of the park by
accident,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Absolutely,”
Patrick answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Joe
was a good person.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’d
have liked to have met him. Actually, I
have met him, but you somehow forgot to mention who he was,
Janie. He did save
you two, and I gather he took a pistol or knife or something
away from one of
those scoundrels, the people the Stars Over Boston flattened.
Fortunately you shouted
for help, and he managed to avoid getting hurt.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“He’s a
good guy. He even helped us move the
firewood into the garage,” Brian said. “And once he made this
incredible catch
and throw to win a nines game for us. He threw like a girl, a
girl who played
hardball all the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Last
November,” Trisha added. “The delivery
guy just dumped the wood in the driveway.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Last
time we hire him,” Abigail said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“So we
three got to carry it into the
garage.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No gifts
allowed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The neighbors
would have seen them,” Janie
said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“But Joe
showed up and helped. He said he
owed Janie for playing City of Steel with him,” Trisha
explained. “He helped a
lot.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Of course, he’s
sort of my height,
but really strong.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not
gift-strong--you
can tell--but strong. Strong as I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Afterward
on that?” Morgana said. “GR, there
is a rule here, which is why you need a champion, Janie. Joe is
clearly not
Eclipse.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Wrong height.
Wrong hair
color.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And he’s a boy.
And you’re not
sure you ever played the new move against him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“We
talked about my move,” Janie said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“I was really proud of it. We talked about some
other variations. And why they were not as good.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well, that’s what I thought
then. We might
have talked about the special move. But it was a bunch of
friends doing
things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Or him and me
playing City of
Steel.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“May I
confirm, mind-to-mind, that each of
you does not know where Joe lives or any of his contact
addresses?” Heads
nodded. “Just focus on that statement.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Good.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He has
protected the line
between his public and private personae. That’s an absolute
legal wall, like
someone asking me, Professor Lafayette, who my public persona
is, not that it’s
much of a secret at this point.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Everything
is good?” Abigail asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“We can
talk afterward,” Morgana said.
“However, the clock is approaching eight. The simplest approach
is that you
open the garage door, I’ll be framed in the light, and Janie
will be right next
to me. And you two also, Abigail and Patrick, will be a few feet
behind us.
Then we come upstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Are
people good
with that, it being your house?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Unless
we want to use the front door?”
Patrick asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Big
snowdrift, dad,” Trisha said. “I think I
can get it in time, but it’s more snow than the whole driveway.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Skip the
front door,” Patrick answered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“We’d
better get our coats on,” Abigail said.
“That includes you, Patrick.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Do
you want
to borrow a coat, Morgana? We may be standing there for a
while.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“That’s
very kind of you.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m
quite weatherproof, thanks. Actually, I’m
going to leave my sweater here. I may need to move quickly,” she
answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her sweater
went across the back of a
chair.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She wore
underneath a white
cotton blouse.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>An
intricately-worked gold
necklace centered a single large blood-red stone on her chest. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Coats
were donned. The Wells family stood in
the family garage. “Three of eight,” Abigail said, “Time to open
the door.”
Panels creaked and groaned as the door rotated up and in. Snow
and bitterly
freezing air rushed in from the street.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Precisely
at eight in the evening, Krystal
North and her four companions appeared in the driveway. Janie
waved to
Grandmaster Kurchatov, who waved back. Morgana Lafayette pressed
her hands
together and bowed slightly to Krystal North. North looked in
and recoiled a
half-step.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“For the
purpose of this conversation,”
Morgana announced coldly, “I am Professor Morgana Cysgodol
Lafayette, Rogers’
Technological Institution.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
am the
Wells family’s persona champion. I am here to ensure that Miss
Wells,
confronted with a persona, is not placed at a disadvantage
during a valid
lawful process, and that there is adherence to the privacy
codes. That goes for
your remote watchers, too, Gamesman Kamensky.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I am
Krystal North, Commandant of the
American Persona League,” a shaken North said to Lafayette. “My
companions are
here to ask Miss Wells a few questions about her new City of
Steel move,
hopefully to prevent possible unfortunate outcomes.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am here as the American
persona champion,
to validate the conversation, subject to the privacy codes. You
will recognize
Speaker Ming.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I believe
Janie knows
Grand Masters Kurchatov and Hornpiper, and may recognize Supreme
Gamesman Kamensky.
Given our balmy New England weather, perhaps we might move
inside?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<span
style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times
New Roman","serif";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New
Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><br
style="mso-special-character:line-break;
page-break-before:always" clear="all">
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0in;line-height:115%"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1 style="text-indent:0in">Chapter Five<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Wells
Residence<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Arbalest
Street <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Medford,
Massachusetts <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Late
Evening<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">January
12 , 2018 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Wells
family sat around their dinner
table, Morgana between Janie and her mother.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You were
really great, Janie,” Brian said.
“You went through all the bad variations, and sort of skipped
the good ones,
except Eclipse’s. And the three Grandmasters just stood there
nodding.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“And
Speaker Ming stayed awake,” Patrick
said, “An art in itself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“He
plays,” Janie said. “Whenever he asked
about the board, he asked the right things.” Janie decided that
the Speaker was
really a nice person. After all, he said nice things about her
command of the
game. She was just a bit tired at the moment.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>She’d had three grandmasters grilling her about her move,
for two hours,
sometimes interrupting each other, sometimes interrupting her
before she could
get an answer out. It has been exhausting, but she’d learned so
much from their
questions, so much about how to think about game positions. And
with real luck,
she’d fed them the subtly bad variations on her move.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“He is a
gentleman,” Patrick said, “so of
course he plays the Five Games.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You two
were very thoughtful,” Morgana said
to Brian and Trisha, “to prepare tea for everyone.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In nothing flat. I assume
the caramel-frosted
hazelnut cookies were Brian’s again?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Brian
nodded. “I made them last Sunday and
was saving them,” he answered. “Well, I was saving the ones
Janie and I hadn’t
eaten yet. Trisha, I told you that you were perfectly welcome to
have more of
them. Especially after you did all that shoveling. That’s why I
made so many of
them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Professor
Lafayette,” Janie said, “You were
hiding it really well, but you looked nervous.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Just a
bit,” Morgana answered. “The
Americans were fine, but Kamensky had the Russian Imperial Elite
Strike Team at
the far end of his leash. If he’d decided that Joe is Eclipse,
which to me sounds
massively idiotic, he might have had his Team try to kidnap
Janie to extract
details from her.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“No!”
Abigail said. “My little girl?” I’m not
little any more, Janie thought.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I’m
twelve. Well, almost <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>twelve,
but twelve.
And the Russian who puts a hand on me is dead, very quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I said <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">try</i>,”
Morgana answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Janie
was safe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You were all
safe. The Tsarists?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Unless
things went massively bad, they were
toast. Burnt toast. Two out of three safe isn’t bad, is it? GR,
I was more
worried about the neighborhood. But there are two things I need
to do here, and
then I really need to go home and make dinner.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You are
having dinner here,” Abigail
ordered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“We owe you
much more than
that. What do you need to do?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“For the
first I need your agreement,”
Morgana said. “The first is called a null link. It’s not
mentalic, exactly. But
if anything happens to any of you, I know something is wrong and
exactly where
to find you. It’s very slightly editing your subconscious, like
crossloading an
app onto a radioBell. Oh, when I’m done, you won’t remember that
I did it.
Except you, Janie, you know your own mind too clearly.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You will remember. You will
also not remind
anyone. It’s a safety precaution. Agree?” Patrick, Abigail,
Trisha, and Janie
nodded. Brian grimaced but finally mouthed agreement. “This just
takes a
moment.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Now,”
Morgana continued, “the two things I
need to do,” she winked at Janie, who smiled back, “are to find
out if there’s
a reason none of you know where Joe lives, and if so, what the
reason is. Each
of you, try to remember asking Joe for his phone number the next
time you see
him.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her eyebrows
wrinkled. “That was
very interesting, but not the way I expected. I can go to the
next step, unless
you want to drop it.” Janie needed a few moments to realize what
had just
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Morgana had
planted null links
in her parents and her siblings, and her. None of them
remembered it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She
hadn’t felt a thing. That was very good,
that Morgana was so good, and very bad, that her own mindscreens
were
completely useless.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“What was
interesting?” Patrick asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I just
asked you a certain question.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You
don’t remember.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You
can’t think about the topic.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Even
you, Janie, and you have solid mentalic
defenses.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You each had
your minds
changed, so soon as I asked the question, but the mind changing
was not done
with mentalics,” Morgana said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That’s
why your mentalic screens didn’t trigger, Janie, what was done
was not
mentalic. And some of my wards, ones that normally never do
anything, were
poked, not gently.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Is it
dangerous?” Abigail asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“In this
world, nothing is safe,” Morgana
answered. “Someone has placed a geas, a construct, on your house
and its
residents. That’s everyone in the house. Having a geas like that
in your house
is almost certainly dangerous to you. Yes, geas, a stable
third-order construct.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It
controls what you think, about a narrow
range of topics, inobtrusively. Leaving it there, now that you
know it exists,
even though you can’t remember what the topics are, is probably
even more
dangerous. To remove it, I need a blank sheet of paper and a
clean table.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Got it,”
Trisha announced. The suddenly
clean table had a large sheet of blank paper on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Three of
you will see nothing. Abigail,
Patrick mentioned that your grandmother on the O’Rigamy side had
the second
sight, so you may see a blue haze.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Janie, you will see clearly what I am doing, but you
should absolutely
not, not even if it’s life and death, try anything like this,
not until you
know exactly what you are doing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Clear?
And the rest of you, don’t interrupt.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Yes,
Ma’am,” Janie managed. She was not a
boy, she told herself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If
she was warned
not to do something, because it was way too dangerous, she
wouldn’t give in to
temptation the way a boy would.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Well,
not Brian.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He was almost
sensible enough
to be a girl. <<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Can you
teach me how to
do…whatever it is? Or at least protect myself?</i>> Only
Morgana heard her
question.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><<i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Yes.
But not soon.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sorry.
Unless you want to
give up games. Talk later</i>.>, Morgana answered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><<i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ulp?
Later.</i>> Janie answered. Give up games?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>That was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">undenkbar</i>…and
she
realized that studying German and Russian so she could read
their games
literature.had suddenly started to work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Good.”
Morgana touched the paper. “Nin amner
morgoth.” To Janie’s eyes, a point of blue light appeared on the
page. Morgana
tapped the paper again. “Nin amner calirath.” Another point of
light appeared.
Morgana continued her chant. When she touched the fifth point,
the light from
the points flowed out, forming a star etched into the paper,
surrounded by
circles within which burned words in a script Janie did not
recognize.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To Janie’s
eyes, the words seemed to move, curling
into and out of the page. “Now, all of you, try to remember
Joe’s home address.
Good. Wait.” Morgana gestured above the circle, her fingers
making an intricate
cat’s cradle that wove in and out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Janie
saw what her siblings did not, bands of light and lines of text
connecting
Morgana’s fingers. The lights vanished. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The circle faded away, to
Janie’s ears like
the tuning fork that once struck faded and faded but never quite
stopped. “All
done,” Morgana announced, slumping back in her chair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“What
were you doing?” Brian asked. “Are you
all right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“That,”
Morgana announced, “was a third order
attack in use. Until I erased it. It made sure that anyone in
this house would
not think that Joe could have a home address or interlink ID,
let alone wonder
what they were. It also made sure that no one would think it was
interesting
that Joe here was the same as Joe who rescued Janie and Trisha.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The attack followed him
around, within a mile
or two, so no one else would wonder.” She leaned back farther in
her chair.
“I’m all right, but it was very solidly embedded.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Who
could do that?” Brian said, not quite
making it sound like a question. “Are you sure you’re all
right?”<br style="mso-special-character:line-break">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br
style="mso-special-character:line-break">
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Morgana
threw up her hands. “At a guess,
Joe’s mom.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I don’t
know who she
is.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>‘Cartwright’ is not
a persona I can
name. Almost no<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>personas
can do things
like this.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I don’t
remember that any of
them have children. And thank you for asking, Brian.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perhaps another cookie,
please? That was more
than a bit tiring.” Brian handed her three cookies, the first of
which rapidly
disappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You much
look as though you need dinner,”
Patrick announced, “and you three young ones need to give us a
private
conversation. Your grades from Morgana, remember?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Yes,
sir,” Brian answered. “Forward to modeling.”
The three children headed upstairs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“And now,
Morgana,” Abigail said, “we are
going to hear our children’s grades, on your coaching them with
their gifts,
and you are going to get a reasonably solid dinner. And the
specialist support
you arranged for Trisha. Dinner was not meant as a suggestion.
Young people
like you are too careless with eating properly at the right
hours.” Abigail
turned to the sideboard and began bringing dishes back to the
table.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Morgana
looked at the ceiling. “Patrick, you
really didn’t tell your dear wife what you know about me through
the tenure
committee, did you? I know you promised, and I understand that
you Americans
are very strict in respecting the privacy of private personas,
but under the
circumstance…” He really had not told his wife, she thought, and
that bit of
New England propriety was about to create an interesting
conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Young
lady, that is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">we</i> Americans,” Abigail said, “since Patrick did
mention that you
were an Englishwoman but had taken American citizenship, just
like several of
my ancestors did, five and seven centuries ago.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Yes, Patrick has completely respected the privacy of your
private
persona, enough so that I knew there was a Professor Morgana
Lafayette, and I
knew there was a public persona Sunssword, but I had never met
you, the
Professor, to know that you were Sunssword. And now you have
half of a roast
chicken, shoe peg corn, sliced potatoes with sautéed onions and
sour cream, and
what is left of the tossed salad with Roquefort dressing. Oh,
yes, several
croissants with butter. Brian was too busy with his cooking to
snatch any of my
chocolate fudge, which is just as well as it would have gotten
him into all
sorts of difficulty. Now I can sit down and hear what is going
on.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I hope
you don’t mind I eat while we’re
talking,” Morgana said. “There are ways to cheat on eating, in
an emergency.
Your cooking, from the smell, is absolutely wonderful, far
better than the
alternative. My cooking has never poisoned anyone.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well, recently. At least,
not accidentally.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In any
event, to use a line almost as old as I
am, the kids are just fine. The worst problem was that Janie has
an extremely
rigid and accurate sense of gifttruth, at the level that leaves
people
paralyzed with fear that they have done something wrong. She got
over the fear.
Fortunately, she got over that before The Emperor Roxbury’s
robots showed up at
her school, because she had to do something violent to deal with
them. She did.
She’s absolutely fine.” And in a few moments I get to explain
just how she
overcame her fear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I was
more worried about Trisha. Flying
faster than sound could be dangerous.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>What if you accidentally left the Earth’s atmosphere? I
told Patrick
that she needed specialist coaching, but he assured me that
everything was in
good hands,” Abigail said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Ummh, I
think we all agreed that so long as
she was not doing anything dangerous, I would be trusted with my
professional
judgement on coaching her,” Morgana said. And I talked it over
with Patrick;
I;m sure he understood what that statement meant. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And Trisha, she thought,
actually is too cowed
by her parents to talk to them about how wonderfully good she
actually is. I
should have leaned harder on her, so I could find out what she’d
told her mom
and dad. “So I am the specialist.” Morgana paused.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Abigail stared at her.
Trisha hadn’t even
told them that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You’re
the specialist?” Abigail asked.
“But,then, I inherited grandmother O’Rigamy’s second sight. I
saw what you had
on the table, Morgana.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You
are no mere
hedge witch, are you? That was a full ritual casting.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I
think I’d better go back a step, Abigail, since you have
absolutely no idea
about my other public personas,” Morgana said. Abigail nodded.
And I dodged the
question, Morgana thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I try
not to tell people this,” Morgana
said. “The tenure committee agreed to a memory shield block,
meaning that if
anyone tried to read their minds about this, the block would use
up the memory
before the shield was worn through.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They
could remember what I told them, but no one else could extract
the information
from them. I’d rather you agreed to the same, it being much for
your own
safety.” Abigail nodded. There were a few moments of silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“First,
notwithstanding that half of the grad
students in my and several other departments have what is
supposed to be a
secret betting pool on which of them will be the first to seduce
me, the woman
who is obviously the youngest Professor at RTI,<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I am not a young woman. My persona name is not Sunsword,
the Boston Post
notwithstanding.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is
Sun’s Sword,
because I was, once upon a time, the Golden Warrior, the Living
Sword of the
Sun Goddess Amaterasu . That was in the court of the Japanese
Emperor, when the
Japanese capital was still </span>Heian-Kyo.<span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:
10.0pt"> That was a while ago. I’m not at all offended that you
thought I might
not be up to coaching your children, since you had no idea who I
am.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Second,
we really need to talk more about
what it means that Trisha and Brian and Janie are all really
first line
personas.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s not just
they have a few
gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yes, Brian can
ignore machine gun
fire. Janie can read minds. Trisha can fly really, really fast.
We’ll get back
to that in a bit,” Morgana said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>She
paused to finish part of another croissant. This was going to be
more difficult
that she thought.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She
hadn’t realized
quite how carefully Patrick and Abigail supervised their
children, or how
little they respected their own children’s judgement, poor
Trisha’s in
particular. No wonder Trisha was short on self-confidence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“They’re
all in good health. They may catch
the flu, but they recover in a hurry. Janie and Brian, in very
different ways,
can focus very deeply on what they’re doing.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>That’s why Janie has her Highly Respected by the Lords of
the Hexagon,
and Brian’s models sell for enough to pay for his hobby, the
extra books he
buys Janie, and Trisha’s sewing supplies and books and extra
athletic
equipment. Trisha is a physical fitness fanatic, except…really,
please stop
telling her she’ll hurt herself if she works too hard. Please?
She can’t, not
easily, not to mention she’ll recover in a bit if she overdoes
things. Your
feedback is confusing her.” Actually, Morgana thought, it’s
hurting her very
deeply, but she’ll never say a word about it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“That’s
just what mothers say,” Abigail
countered. This was going to be a mess, Morgana thought.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her daughter is taking her
literally, and I
am not going to be able to explain to Abigail what that means.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Absolutely,”
Morgana said. “The two feet of
snow and plow curl she removed from your drive…she wasn’t
vaguely close to her
muscle and bone limits. For her, that was just a healthy bit of
exercise. She
knows it. Please keep in mind that superspeed passes normally
for her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She actually
had to shovel your driveway of
two feet of heavy snow, one scoop at a time. And catch her
breath when she
needed to.” Hopefully, Morgana thought, I have made a dent in
the problem. I
can’t very well tell Abigail that she is absurdly overprotective
in ways that
are hurting Trisha. “However, there is also the third thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Third?”
Patrick asked. To Morgana’s eyes,
Patrick looked deeply thoughtful. She had no idea what influence
he had on his
wife, who seemed to be the source of the issues Trisha was
facing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Trisha
does fly faster than sound,” Morgana
said. “Faster than light indeed being faster than sound. And all
three kids
have full deep space gifts, so flying to the moon or wherever
was not an
issue.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Faster
than light?” Abigail asked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That
means that in a few minutes Trisha could
be millions of miles from Earth, and get lost.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Has
Trisha actually flown a very far at
high-speed?” Patrick asked. “I’d hate to think she tried flying
to the Moon and
ran out of steam part way there.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“We were
going to discuss this,” Morgana
said, “because she had this really neat photograph she wanted to
show you,
admittedly taken with one of my cameras, of the Milky Way
galaxy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The picture is
from well to the Galactic South,
so you can see all the spiral arms. That’s about 300,000 light
years out from
the Galactic center, which she covered in under half an hour,
notwithstanding
the need for acceleration and deceleration and being careful not
to fly through
anything large and solid along the way. Oh yes, she has the safe
form of
superspeed, so she isn’t getting any older if she spends a
couple of subjective
hours shoveling the driveway, the way she just did.” Morgana
pulled a bitstick
from her blouse pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Socket
under the table,” Patrick said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“The screen comes down from the ceiling when
in use.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The three
waited a few
moments.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Up on the
screen came an image,
a huge photograph of a galaxy, multiple spiral arms all clearly
visible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Furthermore,”
Morgana continued, “Jessamine
Trishaset has true deep space navigation. She cannot get lost,
up to local
hazards that she can fly away from, anywhere in our universe.
She knows exactly
where home is. And her other gifts would let her make that
flight, all the way
across the universe, though she might want a nap at the end.”
Abigail swallowed
deeply. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“That’s
our galaxy?” Abigail asked. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“My
specialty is computational astrophysics,
not observational astronomy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“That’s
ours,” Morgana answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Trisha
took it. She did want me along, half
to kibitz on camera setup, half because…she could do it by
herself, it’s
perfectly safe, but she doesn’t trust herself.” Mostly because
people don’t
trust her, Morgana thought, and keep telling her that she has
bad judgement and
will hurt herself if she tries anything challenging. “We did a
timed flying
run. Trisha is undoubtedly the fastest persona in the world,
including any of
the Lords of Eternity.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“To
finish the grades,” Morgana continued, “Brian
has a first rate set of screens, not to mention several plasma
attacks that did
a fine job on Lord Roxbury’s robots. If he were a grownup, he’d
be welcome in
Stars Over Boston, though it would be a waste of his time. His
model building
is a gift, but a very rare one. He’ll probably develop other
gifts as he goes
on, but he’s the type that develops a few things deeply rather
than many things
broadly. Janie is an absolutely first-rate mentalist. Besides
telepathy and
screening, she is one of the few personas I know who can read
machine minds.
Very recently, she developed a mentalic attack, something that
will kill things.
I emphasize that she has a very well developed sense of
gifttruth, so she is
safe with the gift in question, but if she is driven to the
point that she
decides that she has to kill someone, they will be very dead
very quickly. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Brian
and Janie between them have an
additional gift, perhaps because they’re almost identical twins,<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>because the random sort of
chromosomes for
fraternal twins managed to give them almost the same set of
chromosomes, though
obviously not quite the same, namely they can trade their gifts.
They did. It
was Janie using shields and plasma torch who took down the last
of Lord
Roxbury’s robots. As we’ve said, Trisha has ultrafast flight,
deep space
navigation, life support, meaning she can breathe for the people
she’s carrying
through space, this invisibility which she just mentioned, and
telescopic
vision. On a clear night, especially if she goes above the
atmosphere, she
views a fair number of stars as having obvious discs. And
planets. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Questions?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I did
say,” Abigail said, “that we should
respect my children’s privacy so long as they were not going to
get into any
trouble or do anything dangerous. From what you’re saying,
Trisha is perfectly
safe flying places, and my twins are safer with their gifts than
they would’ve
been without. What am I missing?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“There
was the issue I learned about yesterday, which is alarming but
not dangerous,”
Morgana answered, “and there is the issue I learned about
tonight, which may be
dangerous. The alarming but not dangerous issue is that on rare
occasion the
Wizard of Mars invites people for tea. The people are very well
advised to go.
That’s totally safe for the people involved, as opposed to
visiting the Wizard
of Mars and playing trade questions. Trading questions with the
Wizard of Mars
rates up there with flying to the center of the sun… as a
suicidal act. For
reasons I do not know and am not about to fly to Mars to ask,
the Wizard of
Mars has been inviting Trisha and Janie and sometimes Brian for
tea. He asked
that they not tell everyone, because it would be dangerous to
the whole world
but not them, and they fortunately had the wisdom to honor his
wishes. He
indicated that they could tell their sensei, and I could tell
you. So far as I
can tell, he has been asking them completely innocent questions,
and telling
them educational stories. I think he’s why Janie got over her
issue with
gifttruth. I would strongly urge you to rely on the Wizard of
Mars having good
intentions. He always has in the past. Also, the warning
‘dangerous to the
world’ should be taken extremely seriously. If someone had given
the Lords of
Eternity that warning, they would’ve had conniptions.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Brian is
selling his models?” Patrick said.
“He never mentioned. Wait!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My
taxes!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I
checked,” Morgana said. “Harry Truman’s
Lemonade<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Stand
exemption. It’s strictly Brian’s
work…he might get audited…but there’s no tax,” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Before
we go farther,” Abigail asked, “how
is it that I’ve ended up with you sitting in my kitchen?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It would be like
discovering that you are
Solara in disguise. I’m not complaining. I’m truly grateful for
what you do for
my children, but the coincidences seem strained.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Why am I
here?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Far before you
reach my actual age, you
realize that you want to live in Athens.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The most civilized, cultured, sensible place there is. In
the tenth
Century, that was </span>Heian-kyo. At another time, Byzantium,
Baghdad, and
Cordoba were perhaps more civilized, but less welcoming to women.
Once upon a
time, it was the <span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Leviorkianu
Domain</span>,
and others it was Marik-on-the-Sea or Gaia Atlanticea. And now it
is Cambridge,
the American Athens. Why am I having dinner here? That returns us
to the issue
I learned about tonight.<span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Joe.
Janie mentioned she had a regular
playing partner of that name, which is perfectly reasonable at
her age. It’s a
very common name. I didn’t connect with the persona who saved
her a few years
ago. I don’t think the geas -- the one I just removed -- would
have misled me.
I’m very good at spotting geases that try to bother me.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, the Joe who plays
Janie seems to
have been very careful to make sure that I never met him. After
all, I’m the
only person other than your daughters who knows what
Joe-the-Public-Persona
looks like.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I’m
significantly
impressed if this Joe, whoever he is, is actually as strong as
Trisha is, given
that neither of them have strength as a gift…and Trisha would
know if Joe had
that gift. Two years ago, no one else got a good look at him.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, I would’ve
innocently assumed that
if Janie had run into the fellow who saved her, she would’ve
talked about it.
She did, except for not saying that they were the same person.
Do Janie or
Trisha ever talk about what happened to them, two years
ago?”Morana kept trying
to fit the puzzle pieces together in her mind.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>They refused to cooperate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Janie
had this remarkable City of Steel innovation. She had this boy
who had saved
her, a boy with remarkably potent gifts.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Someone was casting geases.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Hopefully not Joe; the thought of a child who understood
third level
work was seriously alarming.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Patrick
and Abigail looked at each other.
“We’ve told both of them,” Patrick said, “that if they ever want
to talk to us
they can. If they want someone else to talk to, we can arrange
that. They both
said they were entirely comfortable talking with you. What I
didn’t expect,
though maybe I should’ve, is that Janie shared mind to mind with
Brian what she
remembered. Brian wanted to be sure he understood what his
sisters went
through. And they all said that Joe’s mom did something so they
remember what
happened, but they don’t remember being frightened, and they are
not frightened
when they think about it. Or did you help with that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I
would’ve done that for them,” Morgana
said, “but Joe’s mom did it first. She did a very good job of
it.” Morgana looked
down at the table. “Actually, she did a truly fine job of it,
and I can’t
imagine who she is, either.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
could’ve
taken care of their minds if they needed it. Goddess only knows
I’ve had enough
practice healing people with after-combat mental distress. What
I meant to ask
about was not what must to you have been a horrifying few hours,
but the
physical details of the persona combat.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Abigail
shook her head. “Trisha was out cold
almost the whole time, and Janie said she didn’t see very much
except
occasionally things got bright. She was very busy shouting for
help. She did
pull Trisha over the edge of a sand dune.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Janie
shouting for help is how I got
involved,” Morgana answered. “If the two of them hadn’t been
persona, the
kidnappers would have ignored them. If Janie hadn’t been so good
at mentalics
back then, the kidnappers might have gotten away with it. Unless
Joe stopped
them. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One of the
kidnappers had a very
strong mind screen, strong enough that Janie had to be really
loud to be heard
outside. Fortunately, we heard her. But when I met Janie and
Trisha I could
tell they were very deeply gifted, and would be better off with
a practiced
hand guiding them. That was me. I just had to arrange things.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“In any
event,” Morgana continued, pausing
once and again for more chicken, “the press coverage of Joe
saving Trisha and
Janie made it sound like the villains teleported out to Sand
Crab Island, and
in the middle Joe somehow separated them from their pistol,
following which
Stars Over Boston came to the rescue. Then Joe got your
daughters back to you.
The miscreants must’ve been seriously injured while resisting
arrest, because
they all died that evening. None of that is false, but there are
some minor
details left out.” Morgana paused to finish off another
croissant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Janie
described Joe teleporting them to
someplace in northern Canada and then to Frog Pond Park,”
Abigail said. “They
were both worried about Joe, because when they left him he was
shivering.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Chills are common if you go way too deep into
your gifts,”
Morgana explained. “And I really mean way too deep, not just a bit
too deep. That’s
not surprising, given what he did. Fortunately, he or they moved
the whole
thing to Sand Crab Island. That combat was not a couple of guys
wrestling over
possession of a knife. Joe was the good-guy side of the deepest
level persona
combat in New England since Crittenden’s War.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Joe is in the power range where he could easily level a
city block of
brownstones with one blast, which is truly unusual for a boy his
age. The
people on the other side were probably about as good. The pistol
that did not
quite take down Joe’s shields was indubitably a Krell disruptor
pistol.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s a starcore
weapon. If the villains had
fired it at Boston, they would have torched everything on the
ocean side of
Beacon Hill with one shot. Assuredly it hit Joe’s shields, and his
shields did
not collapse. Joe won by himself, and on the way out grabbed the
pistol and a
Krell shield bracer that had been protecting one of the
miscreants. Until Joe
killed the fellow. Joe seems to have no compunctions about killing
people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Stars Over Boston
got there after almost
everything was over. I am morally certain. Joe teleported out with
your
daughters because he saw me appear, not because he thought he was
escaping the
villains. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Then,
afterward, something broke into Castle
Island Prison, put the guards to sleep without their noticing
anything, hid its
presence from the three members of the Stars Over Boston who
were also guarding
the place, and exfoliated the memories of the surviving
villains, incidentally
killing them. The villains were very deeply tranquilized and
being given
medical care. Mighty Mind was going to search their memories
carefully, but was
waiting for the needed court order. Something else did not wait.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You may have heard about
the ring of perverts
in our country’s southern neighbors, the ones who were
kidnapping persona
children and torturing them to death? The people captured in
Boston were their
strike team. The same night that the prisoners died, something
appeared above
their main base, smashed down a very high power set of force
fields, killed the
personas defending the place, and rescued a bunch of children.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The political aftermath,
when the detailed
records were made public, is still reverberating. People have
heard the parts,
but not connected the dots.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Are
Trish and Janie safe near Joe?” Abigail
asked. “Isn’t it dangerous to have personas that powerful
wandering around in
their vicinity? I’m not counting you, of course.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“The only
time I’ve seen Joe use his powers,
that from a distance, he was protecting Trisha and Janie at what
I hope he
realized was a considerable risk to his own life. Trisha and
Janie have nothing
to worry about, so far as I can tell. Joe took a big chance to
fight that crew.
I’m not sure whether or not he knew he was taking a chance. He
may have thought
he would just stomp the people attacking Trisha and Janie into
the ground. I
would’ve liked to speak to him. Many people owe him favors, but
he made no
effort to collect. With that sort of power, unless you have good
training, your
slight errors can get large numbers of people killed.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Including you, if you make
a mistake. Also,
someone put a geas on your house. I find that bothersome. There
aren’t a lot of
people who can do that, and none that I can name appear to have
a motive.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The wind
gusted, hard enough that the
shutters rattled. “However, I am keeping you up late,” Morgana
continued, “I
still have a paper to write, and I’ve given your children their
grades.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They are all
Excellent. Your meal was
wonderful, and most appreciated. So far as I can tell, you five
are not in any
particular danger. I should be on my way.” Morgana stood, hugged
Abigail, and
took Patrick’s hand. “Next time, I should bring some of my
cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have, after
all, had some thousands of
years to figure out how to recognize boiling water.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Thank
you for everything, Morgana” Abigail
said. “You’re sure you don’t want to borrow a coat for the
flight back? And you
do get a box of my cookies. And some of the fudge, for all that
the silly betting
pool that Patrick told me about is foredoomed to failure.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I’m not
planning on flying,” Morgana said,
“but I would love some of the cookies, and some of the fudge.”
Abigail, she
thought, really doesn’t recognize that I’m quite entirely
weatherproof.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Thank
you for backing up Janie, Morgana”
Patrick said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Matters
could have been
much worse.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, the
Tenure
Committee really does look at publications.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Yes,
Professor Wells. Publish or join the
glorious dead. Patrick, call at once if Janie disappears. She
won’t.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Krystal North had
the fear of the Goddess put
into her. So did the Tsarists. It was a delight to have dinner
with you, and
your children are wonderful as students.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>With that I must bid adieu.” Her figure became
transparent and vanished
from sight.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">* * * * *<br
style="mso-special-character:
line-break">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br
style="mso-special-character:line-break">
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Great
Dome of the Capital<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Washington,
Federal District<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">January
12, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
atmosphere under the Capital Dome was
even frostier than the Cambridge blizzard.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Speaker Ming, three Gamesmasters, and Krystal North stood
in a circle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“The
notion that this slip of a girl can come
up with such a move is absurd,” Supreme Gamesman Kamensky
announced. “She must
have backers, backers she failed to divulge.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>That’s lying to this inquiry, and grounds for more
rigorous
interrogation. Under the Tsar, she would be removed to the
tender graces of the
Okhrana until she revealed who her backers are. This could still
be
arranged.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Grandmaster
Kurchatov’s face stiffened.
“Fortunately, Kamensky, this is a civilized country, so such
things do not
happen here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Alexander
Vladimirovich,” Krystal repeated,
“Cambridge is in the American Republic, so such an outcome does
not arise.”
Kamensky and his crew appeared to think that they were the lords
of the Earth,
entitled to do whatever thye wanted. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Miss
North. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Really. I would
not dream of violating your
quaint local customs,” Kamensky answered vociferously. “Though
Miss Wells’
second, a charming college professor a third my age, would
hardly have been a
serious threat to my escorts.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Alexander
Vladimirovich,” Krystal said,
“That young lady, as you put it, is a first-line persona. I can
name three
times she had a serious brawl with a Lord of Eternity.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She came out on top all
three times. In case
you haven’t noticed, the Tsar’s Persona Corps has no one who can
stand up
against an Eternal, one on one, for more than a few seconds. If
your unseen
Russian Elite Persona Team had tried what you suggested, Count
Supreme Gamesman
Kamensky, they would now be toast.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Charred toast. It was painfully obvious Professor
Lafayette could tell
where your team would be appearing, to the inch, and was ready
to eliminate
your precious national team as they arrived. That’s before my
League rode to
the rescue.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That’s
Janie’s rescue.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also
Professor Lafayette’s rescue, not that
she would have needed it. Indeed, my League’s major task on
arrival would have
been to sweep up the ashes. If you’d been a co-conspirator, we
would be
sweeping up your ashes, too. With modest luck, the Federal
Senate would later
have agreed that you had acted on your own, not on behalf of
your government,
in which case America would not be ending January by going to
war with the
Tsar. I hope I have made this point adequately clear?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Kamensky
turned on Speaker Ming. “I must
protest these idle American threats.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Supreme
Gamesman Kamensky,” Ming
answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Miss North
was simply
clarifying the political situation for you.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I believe she is in error on only one point. In my
opinion, it would
have been impossible to convince the People and Senate of the
American Republic
that you had been acting on your own.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“In that
case,” Kamensky announced, “I prefer
to return home.” Kamensky vanished. Krystal felt a flood of
relief. If Kamensky
had tied kidnapping Jane Caroline, matters would have been
extremely
unfortunate extremely quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Interesting
company the little girl keeps,”
Kurchatov said. “I do not recall an Eternal or the like who
Plays, so I suppose
Miss Wells must have come up with her new move for herself.
Those variations
she proposed all looked...flawed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Victor,”
Grandmaster Hornpiper asked, “I had
had the same thought, but then decided that if I were in her
predicament I
would have been delighted to tell you about many variations on
my move…the bad
variations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In her
position, if I’d been
asked about chess openings, I would have talked at length about
the Horns of
Hattin opening, or perhaps the Glorious Shield of Sarnath.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“You’re
mean, Honarius,” Ming said, not at
all seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Surely
this sweet little
girl would not pull such an underhanded trick?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“This
sweet little girl,” Kurchatov said,
“forced me to offer a tie when we played, a tie she gleefully
accepted. She had
good chances of winning, too, but preferred the certainty of a
draw. That put
her ranking up considerably. She is <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">highly</i>
underhanded.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Good for
her,” Ming said. “She embodies the
highest aspects of the American gaming spirit.” The two
Grandmasters nodded affirmatively.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:
0in;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt
320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt
687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Gentlemen,”
Krystal said, “I am happy to
have the three of you teleported home, it being late indeed, but
I need to have
a watch put on the Wells residence and on all three children.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Baron Kamensky might be
smart enough to back
off, but some of his backers are decidedly less cautious.” All
we need, she
thought, is a possible war with Russia, on top of whatever
outcome the
Namestone and its bearer create.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h1>Chapter Six<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Secure Chamber Alpha<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Palace of Peace<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Geneva, Switzerland<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Morning<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">January
13, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">League
Chancellor
Lars Holmgren tapped his walnut gavel twice on its bloodwood
sounding block. “Good
morning! Gentlemen?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ladies?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I know it has been a very
long few days.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>May we
have order, please? This meeting of
the League of Nations Special Peace Executive is now in session,
Prince Wang taking
any needed notes. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thank
you, Prince Wang.
I believe we have all reviewed the recordings of Wednesday’s
events. I have
circulated an agenda. Under the non-emergency rules, we begin by
naming
ourselves.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“For
the American
Republic, Ambassador Thaddeus Buncombe.” Buncombe, wearing a
classic pinstripe
three-piece suit with broad red, white, and blue
vertical-striped tie, leaned
back in his chair.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now,
he thought,
there would be the foreign kings and princes, their
representatives, and their
pompously useless titles. He looked around the room. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Peace Executive sat at a
horseshoe-shaped
white marble table, with Holmgren in the middle and Buncombe at
the heel of the
horseshoe’s right branch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
walls and
floor were the same brilliant white marble, carved and inlaid
with what the
European founders of the League viewed as scenes showing the
triumph of civilization.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To
Buncombe’s eyes those scenes mostly
represented Europeans trampling other parts of the world under
foot. Curiously,
images of King George the Mad attempting to trample America were
conspicuous
for their absence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“For
Austria-Hungary, <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Count
Karl-Michael Ferencz
.” Buncombe nodded respectfully at Ferencz.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>King-Emperor Joseph III had spent forty years requiring
that his
representatives be highly competent. The Count might have a
title, but he had
surely earned his post.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“The
Brazilian
Empire, Ambassadrix Amanda Rafaela Mascarenhas da Silva.” The
speaker was a
woman in her early sixties, hair a deep black, her blouse, vest,
and long dress
a brilliant royal blue fringed in gold. Buncombe smiled
politely. Amanda was
one of the few truly thoughtful people on the Peace Executive. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“For
the Queen-Empress
Victoria, the Third of her Name, Lord Reginald
Featherstonehaugh.” The current
Featherstonehaugh, Buncombe considered, was considerably less
arrogant than his
father, who Americans could readily imagine as one of the crown
officials who
cheered on King George III, George the Mad, as he launched the
1774 British
invasion of the American Republic.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“For
the Celestial
Republic of the Han, Prince Wang </span>Dongfeng.” Dongfeng
looked politely
around the room, the blank look on his face masking his inner
thoughts.<span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Speaking
for the
Emperor of All France, Napoleon the Sixth,<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I am Imperial Grand Marshall Bernard-Christian Davout.”
Davout wore the polychrome
uniform of a modern French Field Marshal. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was possible, Buncombe
thought, <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>that some color
had been omitted from his
ensemble, but if so it was by oversight. For all his military
decorations, Davout’s
military experience was quite limited. Davout’s own conquests
were more focused
on the boudoir, and over the years had included several of his
fellow
Ambassadors, though despite his best efforts not Amanda Rafaela.
<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Davout’s country,
including its not-protectorates
from the Caribbean to the Eastern Mediterranean was nonetheless
an eminently
civilized place, in which an American could consider living.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Napoleon might style
himself <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Emperor</i>, but
its local governments including
the Greek and Spanish Kingdoms and Venetian Republic had an
independence that
only Frenchmen and Americans found entirely reasonable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“For
His Great and Terrible
Majesty, the Supreme Warlord of All the Germans, Kaiser
Friedrich the Fourth
and Greatest, I am Markgraf Heinrich Moeller.” All the Germans,
Buncombe noted
to himself, if you ignored the Austro-Hungarians, the Swiss, the
Bavarians, and
the residents of the French Rhineland.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The Germans were forever scheming to recover the mythical
past glories
to which they thought they were entitled, their schemes having
as their primary
effect solidifying the anti-German alliance that included all of
their
neighbors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“The
Speaker for the
First Speaker of the Mexica and the Inca.” Lord Smoking Frog,
Buncombe
considered, never actually spoke his own name. In his home
country, for him to
speak his own name might have been an impolite way of reminding
people that the
Empire of the Mexica and the Inca was in fair part run by the
Maya.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“For
the </span><i><span style="mso-ansi-language:TR" lang="TR">Osmanli
padisahlari</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">,
the Emperor, may his wisdom increase
forever, has sent me, his Grand Vizier, Suleiman Pasha.”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So that’s who he is, a
fellow I have never
met, Buncombe thought. And Suleiman Pasha normally stays out of
sight, so the
Emperor gets all the credit for Suleiman’s good ideas, and
Suleiman avoids all
blame for his own bad ideas. If the Ottomans sent their Prime
Minister, they
are taking matters much more seriously than I might have
expected. For better
or worse, that replacement can’t happen to me, it being illegal
for Cognressmen
to travel outside the American Republic.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Ambassador
</span>Fateh
Singh of the <span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Sikh Empire,
Speaker for all
South Asian states.” Singh’s cloth-of-gold coat appeared to
Buncombe to be
wasteful, not to mention cold. Similar criticisms might be made
of most of the
other foreigners, none of whom had adopted the simple, frugal,
not to mention
comfortable style affected by American diplomats. Singh,
however, was someone
you could speak with privately, and have some confidence that he
was not saying
whatever he thought that you wanted to hear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I am
Saigo
Shigetoshi, Legate of the Satsuma Daimyo.” Buncombe nodded
politely at Shigetoshi.
Relations between America and their Pacific neighbor had always
been friendly,
each side recognizing that any other attitude was pointless. The
legal fiction
that Shigetoshi only represented the Satsuma Daimyo rather than
speaking for
the Emperor and the Shogun was one of the quaint aspects of
doing business with
the Japanese. It was almost as quaint as the fiction that
Shigetoshi ‘s wife
merely liked a bit of gossip, rather than being the Imperial
spymaster for
Europe. Shigetoshi’s seven layers of polychrome kimono, besides
being
gorgeously colorful, managed to be both warm and comfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Legate
Hong Sangui of
Manjukuo.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hong
carefully look away from
Buncombe. Relations across the Bering Straits had been frigid
since the
Manjukuoans discovered that their failure to contest the
ownership of Alaska
had given away huge gold and mineral deposits. Of course,
Buncombe considered,
the Empire had been so little interested in Alaska and places
beyond that they
had retained a Russian to explore them. Hong wore pale yellow
court robes,
embroidered left and right with a pair of five toed dragons,
showing a close
tie to the Imperial family.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A
large
scarlet fire sigil sewn on each forearm of the robes indicated
his performance
on the Imperial Examinations, showing that he had finished in
the highest
rank.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The lower ranks
test memorization,
Buncombe reminded himself, but the highest ranks were based on
puzzle solving.
Hong hid a top-notch mind behind his refused shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“For
Peter, Emperor
of all the Russias, Princess Elizaveta Romanoff.” The oldest
daughter of Tsar
Peter VI wore classical Russian court dress, complete with a
tiara. Romanoff ‘s
coat and blouse and trousers were brilliant scarlet spackled
with silvery lace
and trim. The platinum alloy highlighted her long hair, faded by
the decades
from raven-black to pure white.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>At 60,
she preserved the figure she had had at 20, a figure that hid
her sharp wit and
sharper memory.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
figure, Buncombe thought,
was undoubtedly in fair part a consequence of her wearing at all
times a
substantial tonnage of silk and precious metals. All times, of
course, except
for those in which they were being removed by any of several of
her other
Ambassadors or good friends, since she clearly adhered to the
traditional European
standard ‘who cares who has a slice of the cake, once the cake
has been cut.’
Of course, when you got down to it, there was very little else
for European
ambassadors to the League of Nations to do, since their
countries exchanged
ambassadors directly. He and Ambassador Shigetoshi were,
uniquely, kept busy
doing actual ambassadorial type work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Colonel-General
Wilhelm
Christian aus und zu Dreikirch, League Secret Political Police.”
Dreikirch
snapped to attention and clicked his heels. Buncombe recognized
his dress uniform.
The New Hampshire State Guard used the same color scheme, minus
the pounds of gold
braid and jingling medals, for its winter camouflage uniforms.
Dreikirch
affected the mannerisms of the Prussians, but was certainly not
partial to the
desired of Kaiser Friedrich.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After
all,
there was a regulation against that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“League
Elite
Persona Brigade, Brigade Leader Valkyria.” The tall, blue-eyed
woman now wore
an ankle-length flame-orange dress rather than her more familiar
battle armor.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The loose
sleeves of the blouse failed to
hide her substantial muscles. Unlike many folks in plate mail,
Buncombe
reminded himself, Valkyria was not stupid, just vigorously
rules-oriented. In
some ways, rules-oriented could be worse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“League
Chancellor
Lars Holmgren.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Where
was this
meeting going, Buncombe wondered? The Ambassadors had met often
enough that
most of them, most of the time, did not feel obliged to insult
each other. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Positions of
the Great Powers on ownership of
the Namestone were hardly state secrets, at least among the
powers that believed
that the Namestone existed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
Celestial Republic of Prince Wang was by no means convinced that
there actually
was a Namestone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After
all, if it
existed, the Martyr would undoubtedly have given it to the
Perfect Man, the
Emperor of the Middle Kingdom, Lord of All the Earth, when the
Martyr first
arrived on Earth three millennia ago, and he had not done so.
The IncoAztecan
Speaker for the First Speaker doubtless agreed with the
Celestial Republic’s
Ambassador, except of course that the Martyr would undoubtedly
have given the
Namestone to the First Speaker, the Living Sun.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“General
aus und zu
Dreikirch, is there any progress to report? I know there is also
an agenda, but
first things first.” Holmgren directed his attention to the
chief of the League
Secret Political Police, who looked even more bedraggled than
his audience. He
had been awake for almost two days, ever since the universal
solar eclipse began.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“We are
pursuing
every lead,” Dreikirch answered, his bushy grey mustache all
aquiver. “There
has been an extremely thorough search for persona fitting
Eclipse’s description.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
garb we saw on video is registered with
Niederhof’s on the Vienna Ringstrasse, but as you know
absolutely no one has
ever penetrated Niederhof’s security arrangements to see the
persona behind the
garb.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tomorrow their
lead window display
will be replicas of Eclipse’s three garbs -- yes, she has three
of them -- and
‘Niederhof, supplier of fine garb to the Glorious Bearer of the
Holy Namestone’
will be their selling point.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
infer
that the customer paid in gold thalers that were promptly melted
down and
reminted, so there is no DNA trace.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Other
than that,
there is no record whatsoever.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My
staff
agrees that Eclipse is a woman, not too advanced in years,
likely late 20s, and
rigorously trained.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Who
is behind
her?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There must have
been a huge support
team, but they remain in the shadows. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“There
was a fuss
because the Bearer used a move first revealed by that American
girl, Wells.
Wells was interrogated at length by two grandmasters and the
Supreme Gamesman
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They found no
indication that
she was the source of this Eclipse’s move.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I have no more to report.” Dreikirch, Buncombe noted,
carefully skipped
over the issue that the Russians had been prepared to kidnap
Wells, the
Americans were protecting her, but there was something very
strange about
Wells’ persona champion, something not in the coded reports he
had been sent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Ah, yes,” Holmgren said,
“the Agenda.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As we are
now in Regular Order, there is a
Speaking Stone, and an order of speaking. The first issue is the
complaint,
actually, complaints, about the League Strike Force and its
actions on
Atlanticea. The speaking order is the order in which I received
complaints,
followed by standard rules. Several of you have made
emphatically clear that
you object to treating these issues in closed session, so we are
not closed. We
begin with traditional short opening remarks and then turn to
substantive
issues. Ambassador Moeller, I believe you speak first.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moeller straightened his tie. “The Supreme
Warlord of All
the Germans is most concerned with the lack of properly aggressive
action by
the League Elite Persona Brigade.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The
moment that the Bearer refused to hand over the Namestone, the
Bearer should
have been summarily executed, without giving her any warning or
further argument.
<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>League resolutions, binding
on every
person in the world, make clear that it is entirely and most
strictly forbidden
for any private person to retain custody of the Namestone.
Equally, League
Resolutions, binding on every person in the world, make clear that
it is
entirely and most strictly forbidden for any private person to
dispute the
right of the League to take possession of the Holy Namestone for
the benefit of
all humanity.” Buncombe pulled from one of the desk drawers at his
side a small
glass pyramid and set it on the table in front of him.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You won’t, he thought, make
those claims
without a vigorous objection. On the other hand, those claims were
even more
impressive in the original German, which you do nnot know that I
have read.
Buncombe was slightly surprised when Featherstonehaugh put a
similar pyramid on
his section of the desk. “However, the Bearer was not summarily
executed. It is
therefore the irrefutable opinion of the Supreme Warlord that the
leadership of
the Elite Brigade should be replaced, the Brigade being given new,
competent,
and therefore of course necessarily Prussian leadership.”
Valkyria’s face
stiffened. Several more pyramids appeared on desks.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“We are further particularly concerned that
large numbers of
persons around the world watched this Eclipse persona while she
defied the
entire League and thus the collective wisdom of all mankind. The
notion that
single individuals are entitled to disobey, no, even to question
the directives
of their superiors is entirely and most rigorously unacceptable.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That position must be
categorically rejected
by this Executive and by extension by all civilized people.
Failure to reject
this notion will leads to riots, disorders, strikes, anarchism,
and independent
thinking, an intolerable state of affairs that must be put down
like the mad
dog that it is.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Finally,” Moeller said, “the Supreme Warlord
of all the
Germans notes that League Resolutions make it explicitly clear
that it is the
separate and overriding duty of every Great Power to make every
effort to
arrest and capture the Bearer and obtain for the benefit of the
League of
Nations the Key to Paradise, the Holy Namestone. Accordingly, the
Supreme
Warlord has ordered and directed that the German Elite Persona
Team is to move
immediately to wherever in the world the Bearer is found, there to
incapacitate
her and take control of the Namestone. There is of course always a
hazard in
operations of this type that other parties will be slightly
injured or that
there will be some minor incidental damage to property. Such costs
are
appropriately born by the country in which the damage takes place,
because if
that country had acted in an appropriate and rapid manner, the
Bearer would
have been captured before the German Elite Persona Team could have
deployed to
the scene to take command of the Namestone for the benefit of all
humanity.” Additional
pyramids appeared on various desks. Moeller handed the Speaking
Stone to Lord
Smoking Frog. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I
bring you
Greetings from the One World, the Six Regions, and the Land of
the Obsidian
Hummingbird. The First Speaker, the Living Sun, notes that the
Bearer did not
immediately comply with the direct and explicit orders of
Brigade Leader Valkyria.
The First Speaker, the Living Sun, is most concerned that Miss
Eclipse’s
depraved behavior will serve as an ill example for the piously
faithful and
diligently industrious workers and peasants of the One World,”
Lord Smoking
Frog said. “Those people are all wonderful citizens of our
Empire, but like all
people other than the Living Sun they are at risk of being led
astray by
malevolent foreign interests. This risk must be eliminated as
rapidly and
diligently as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Furthermore,
the
Assembly of the </span>Tlatoani and the Council of the Realm
are united in
insisting that in the face of a League Resolution this Eclipse
person owed
instant obedience to Commandant Valkyria. That is the way it is in
all
well-ruled countries.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Those
who lead direct.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Those who
follow obey without question,
hesitation, or thought. When Eclipse was seen not to obey, she set
the example
that disobedience can ever be a valid option, which of course it
is not. At the
first moment that she refused to obey, she should have been struck
dead.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Better, of course,
she should have been
rendered unconscious, separated from the Namestone, and then she
should have
been tortured to death.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Slowly.
Her agony
and death would then have sent a clear message on the virtue and
correctness of
that unthinking obedience that is the true strength of all
civilized lands.
Therefore, we believe a Special Commission should immediately be
appointed to deal
with the most important of all questions, namely choosing for Miss
Eclipse the
most painful and terrifying possible form of execution, following
which her
still-beating heart should be offered up to Witchywolves.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also, to avert a repetition
of her escape,
command of the League Elite Persona Brigade should immediately be
transferred
to the Perfect Warrior, The First Speaker, the Living Su, of the
Inca and the
Azteca.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Finally, the First Speaker, the Living Sun, is
most
emphatic that the Namestone must be recovered as soon as possible
and used to
bring Heaven to Earth. Accordingly, the First Speaker has ordered
that the
Jaguar Knights be immediately ready to attack the Bearer, no
matter where on
earth she is found. The Jaguar Knights are well-equipped with
teleporters and
high power combatants, so there can be no doubt that the Bearer
will be overwhelmed
by their attack. We are in complete agreement with Supreme German
Warlord that
while there is a possibility of incidental or collateral damage,
that such
damage must be recognized as a heroic sacrifice on the part of
those suffering the
damage, for which of course they do not need to be compensated. In
saying this,
we do not deny the privilege of the ruler of any of the Great
Powers and the
other powers to reward his citizens for any damage they may have
suffered while
being associated with the heroic act of capturing the Namestone.”
Buncombe
noted that several of his fellow ambassadors were looking
significantly askance
at the remarks of the Speaker for the First Speaker. The Speaking
Stone was
passed to the next ambassador.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Grand
Vizier
Sulieman Pasha looked around the room. “The Emperor of the
Ottomans, Defender
of the Faithful, Protector of the Three Holy Places, may his
piety and virtue
redound to the heavens, has taken note of the failure of the
League Strike Team
to procure the Namestone. On one hand, it is entirely sad that
there was no
capture. On the other hand, the Emperor, may his wisdom increase
forever,
recalls that this body discussed at great length on a regular
basis the
protocols to be used if someone other than us managed to thread
the Maze and
recover the Namestone. His Imperial Wisdom believes that the
League Strike Team
did in fact execute the plan that was applicable. The Leaders of
the Corps of
Janissaries have advised the Emperor: It is unfortunate that the
agreed-upon
plan was not successful, but that is the nature of plans.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They do not always work.
The Emperor
therefore does not believe that it would be particularly
appropriate at this
time to transfer command of the League Strike Team from its
current command
staff to the Commandery of the Worshipful Hosts of the Pious and
Faithful, as
the Ambassador of the German Warlord has so wisely suggested. In
particular,
there might be some confusion arising from the issue that the
League Team
includes both men and women, the women not serving as camp
followers, contrary
to any reasonable arrangement within a military force.” Buncombe
noted that the
women in the room were all striving not to break out into
laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Fortunately,
he considered, they had heard
this line before from the usual Ottoman Ambassador. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Also, in all our planning we
made no plan
that allowed for the possibility that a Lord of Eternity would
be present or
would seek to intervene in the recovery of the Holy Namestone,
so the plans
were less than complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Having
said that,
the Protector of the Three Holy Places has at his beck and call
what is
undoubtedly the most powerful group of personas in the entire
world. There is
therefore no need for foreign groups to enter the Lands of Peace
in pursuit of
the Namestone. Such an entry would provoke unfortunate
consequences for the
intruders, for which the Defender of the Faithful could not
possibly take
responsibility.” Buncombe brought to mind several ancient
American adages
involving the concept of the slow train wreck. It seemed more
than a bit likely
that several foreign powers would be perfectly happy to have
their persona
teams invade the territory of other foreign powers with what
would be claimed
to be the best of intentions, do astonishing amounts of
collateral damage to
key industrial facilities, and then leave. The net result, he
suspected, would
not be entirely favorable for world peace or local property
values, even before
the Bearer started resisting the persona teams trying to capture
her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Finally,
his Wisdom
the Emperor notes the great likelihood that this Eclipse person
is to be
numbered among the ranks of the Faithful, given that the Bearer
identified her
as having the highest possible state of moral purity, in which
case it will
always be appropriate for Hosts of the Faihful to come to her
aid if she is
attacked.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Grand
Vizier passed the
Speaking Stone to Legate Hong.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Already
the Great
Khan, the Emperor of Manjukuo and All Mongolia, from the center
of the world to
the Polar Sea, has issued the most fundamental of all orders:
‘Men and women of
the Horde! To your horses!’ All the personas and all the
soldiers of all
Manjukuo are immediately ready to advance against the Bearer, no
matter where
she is found, so soon as she can be located. There is no doubt
but that she
will be overwhelmed and her stolen artifact recovered for all
the people of the
world.” Buncombe steeled himself for the bloviations of the
remaining
ambassadors. The Russians would undoubtedly interpret the German
remarks as a
threat of war. The French and the Austro-Hungarians would speak
of welcoming
the Bearer into their midst, and using tactful means to persuade
the bearer to
use the Namestone as the League requested. It seemed unlikely
that either
Ferencz or Davout would be able to explain the concept ‘tact’ to
many of their
fellow ambassadors. Buncombe realized that while he was
collecting his thoughts
the Speaking Stone had moved several more times, so the Sikh
Ambassador was
speaking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Finally,”
Ambassador Singh said, “I have been asked to bring word from the
Tibetan
Lamanate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While the
Dalai Lama is
temporarily absent awaiting reincarnation, the Sera Lama has
extended an open
invitation to this Miss Eclipse to visit Tibet to meditate with
him on the
hazard that the Holy Namestone creates for her soul, for surely
a device that
grants all worldly desires will distract us all from tranquil
meditation.
Indeed, the Sera Lama counsels us all that we should abandon our
interest in
the purely worldly temptations offered by the Namestone, in
favor of the
celestial awards resulting from renouncing all worldly goods.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The
Speaking Stone eventually
reached the American Ambassador. “Mind you,” Buncombe said, “I
would be remiss
in my duties as Ambassador of the American Republic if I did not
note that most
of our citizens have a complete lack of sympathy with the
League’s assertion that
it has a claim on the Namestone. The American position for
centuries has been
that the Namestone would belong to he who took it. I agree that
most Americans
would also have preferred that Miss Eclipse simply joined the
extremely long
list of people who bet their lives against the Namestone and
lost. We do not
wish Miss Eclipse ill for performing her heroic deed, but the
Namestone was better
left in the Tomb in the hands of the Martyr.” Several of
Buncombe’s colleagues
glared in his direction. “Of course, it was two Americans who
separately
entered the Maze and were the only challengers ever to survive,
quitting while
they were ahead.” Some of Buncombe’s colleagues turned beet red.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Four appeared to be
struggling to avoid
breaking into laughter at his tweaking of the lion’s tail. The
English and
Germans had lost the core of their navies in a prior attempt. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The English “world chess
champion” had
declined to emulate the American challenger he had dodged, when
the challenger
had visited England to play for the world title, by following
the American
challenger the Maze.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“In
any event, my
Republic’s frugal Congress may well take its own good time about
authorizing
any part of our very limited incomes to be spent in Eclipse’s
pursuit, assuming
that our Congress in its wisdom does not decide that she is the
proper owner. We
are a poor and thrifty nation and have better uses for our
meager resources.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Buncombe
silently congratulated himself on
saying his final few sentences with a straight face. It was
hardly a secret
that the American Republic was by a very considerable margin the
wealthiest
country in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Finally, America is a
sovereign nation. Foreign
attacks on our citizens and residents, including in particular
attacks on the
hypothetical Miss Eclipse if she is an American, would plausibly
be acts of war
and will be treated as such. We have no intent of sending our
armed forces
abroad in pursuits of willow-the-wisps. We will, however,
consider favorably
requests for mutual assistance from countries in the Americas
that request our
assistance. Furthermore, President Daniel Oliver Webster has
indicated that if
the Governors-General of any of the Canadian Dominions request
emergency aid,
then, so long as the Queen-Empress and her Ministers do not
object, arrangements
might perhaps be made.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After
all, if
your neighbor’s house is on fire, you break out the hoses first,
and consider
your minor historical disagreements with your neighbor after the
fire is
extinguished.” From the looks on various faces, Buncombe had
indeed set several
foxes loose in neighboring chicken coops. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>American foreign policy had
for centuries been
based on total noninvolvement in foreign affairs. Protecting
southern neighbors
from the IncoAztecan Empire was viewed as a domestic matter,
given the series
of wars that had been fought between America and the Aztecans.
And now,
Buncombe thought, he had announced a minor change in American
foreign policy. Buncombe
handed the Speaking Stone to Ambassador Featherstonehaugh. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Curiously,’
Featherstonehaugh said, “the position of Queen Victoria, the
Third of her Name,
and her Ministers is in many respects similar to that of the
American Republic.
I realize this circumstance may sound surprising to some. In
particular, Her
Majesty’s government is disenthused with the notion that
foreigners are
entitled to appear in our country unannounced with the intent of
using our
lochs and rills to fight a war. Her Majesty and Her Government
must categorically
and absolutely refuse to be responsible for the consequences if
such an event
were to occur. While I could go on at greater length, I am in
the common
position of Final Opening Speaker, namely I believe that we
might all find it
useful to consult with our governments about your preliminary
remarks, some of
which were not what official positions would have led us to
expect.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Naturally, we
are all gentlemen and ladies,
and do not employ spies,” the room burst into giggles, “so none
of us have any
non-official knowledge before the meeting of what was about to
be said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If any of you
are curious, my actual prepared
introductory remarks are in the meeting packet. I will be happy
to meet
privately with any of you who have questions on it. I therefore
propose a
pleasant recess.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Does
anyone else
want to be heard on this matter?” Holmgren asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Manjukuo
pledges
one hundred tons of gold to the persons who locate and catch
Eclipse, and gain
for us the Namestone,” Manjukuoan Legate Hong Sangui
interrupted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Holmgren
smiled and applauded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His
audience might need a little while to
realize that this interruption was pre-rehearsed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“In that case,” Holmgren
continued, “I propose
that we recess until after dinner, so that we may receive
instructions. I see
several objection pyramids on the table. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Those might perhaps be the
first order of
business this evening. Is there objection to a recess? Hearing
none, we are recessed.”
Holmgren wished he had not seen Buncombe and Featherstonehaugh
exchange knowing
glances.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What might that
unlikely duo be
planning? A lack of world peace would be an incredible disaster,
and that lack
might appear rather quickly. He took another deep sip from one
of his vest
flasks. This meeting had gone no farther than preliminary
remarks, and already
the latent hostilities between the Great Powers were coming to
the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h1>Chapter Seven<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The House That Is Forever<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Day<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">January 13, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Around
a gold-inlaid
teak table waited the dozen Lords of Eternity. An empty chair
marked Solara’s
daughter Corinne, she who lies sleeping until her death may die.
Prince Mong-ku
sat at the table’s head. It was one of those centuries, he
thought. As had been
true for far longer than normal mortals suspected, it was again
his turn to
maintain civility.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Of
the twelve, only
the Screaming Skull wore formal garb.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Solara had donned a white silk tabard.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Starsmasher was in another of his seemingly infinite
supply of
vest-and-cardigan sweater combinations.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Plasmatrix, she who was indeed
Plasmatrix-The-Desolation-Of-The-Goddess,
was for a change wearing real clothing, not her usual
strategically-placed bits
of incandescent plasma, plasma carefully locked behind force
screens so it
would not burn down whichever building she approached. If the
Prince’s ruby and
bronze silk robe and layered garments underneath somewhat
resembled garb, it
was that his breakfast hour was yet approaching, and a housecoat
seemed highly
appropriate, given the hour in his normal time zone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Having
managed to
sleep through the whole thing,” Prince Mong-ku observed
querulously, “it is
nonetheless my duty to describe the situation that required
summoning this
meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why shouldn’t I
have slept
through it?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After all,
surely no one in
their right mind expected this unknown nonentity to solve the
Maze.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s absurd.
Nonetheless, this Eclipse person
managed to walk the paths of the Maze, beat down every obstacle,
and remembered
that she wanted the Martyr to <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">give</i>
her the expletive-deleted Namestone.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Then she just stood there while the Europa Elite Team hit
her with dear
me, a truly great deal, not to mention that one of us expressed
his disapproval
of her continued life.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Worse,”
the Screaming
Skull said, “after I expressed my extreme disapproval of her
basal metabolism,
she was still standing, seemingly unharmed.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>And now she has disappeared without a trace.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Berndt,”
Prince
Mong-ku addressed Starsmasher, “don’t our files show anything?
After all, the
whole world only has a billion people, not to mention perhaps
ten million or so
personas of any significance. Surely a list of the personas with
her gifts -- starting
with starcore class force fields and second order shields --
ought to be limited.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“The
new Bearer is
clearly none of the Eclipses whose persona names are widely
known,” Starsmasher
answered calmly. “Actually, there are a good twenty of them, of
whom ten are
astronomers, space travellers and teleporters who can move
satellite telescopes
to useful locations. Not one is a young woman.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Nor is any a shapeshifter who could disguise themselves
as a young woman.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Having
said that, you are the persona you
choose to be.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Someone
could have assumed
this Eclipse persona, garb and all, just for a day.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“We can
rule that
one out,” Solara announced. “Niederhof’s has announced that
Eclipse is a
regular customer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She’s
one of the
‘reduced rate if you let us display replicas of your garb when
you become
famous’ people. In a few days, replicas of all of her garbs will
be on
display.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“That
is actually
significant,” Prince Mong-ku said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“How?”
Starsmasher
asked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“For reasons we
all know,
absolutely no one can penetrate Nieferhof’s security.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Niederhof might know who
she is, but he will
not talk. And boasting that they made her garb is good for their
business.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“She
paid cash,”
Solara answered. “Gold coins, melted down at once. That I got
from one of my
European friends.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Featherstonehaugh,
she considered, was in his tastes remarkably like his
great-grandfather, if
slightly taller and stronger.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Ah,”
Prince Mong-ku
answered,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>his face
wrinkled with smiles.
“Niederhof’s does not make that offer to the hoi polloi. It
would reduce their
profits. And, obviously, they did not make that deal after she
did the Maze:
she already had the garb. No, whoever she is, they figured out
in advance that
she might be a person of adequate importance, even though she
was completely
unknown at the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Niederhof
is a
clever fellow, not a clairvoyant,” the Screaming Skull answered.
“He would have
had to have had evidence of her possible importance. What could
that have
been?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Eclipse.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not well known.” Plasmatrix
ticked choices
off on her fingers, hoping as she did that her fellows would see
her point. “Not
a known protégé. Actually, except screens and teleportation, not
a lot of power
that we have seen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Teleporters
aren’t
quite a dime a dozen, especially ones who risk the Dark Side of
the Moon in one
jump.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That, by the way, is where
she lost me,” Dark
Shadow said. “What’s left?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Rare
and subtle
gifts,” Prince Mong-ku said. “She did have second-order screens,
good ones; few
indeed are the people outside the room with those. Her rhetoric
was training,
not something engifted.” He paused.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Oh,
of course.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If one of us
showed up at
Niederhof’s and announced ‘This is my daughter Eclipse, would
you please put
together quality garb for her’, the daughter would get the
special rate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was
promise of greatness, not because
Niederhof is impressed by a mere Lord of Eternity, but because
we can engift
our progeny with all our powers. Did one of us do that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I
think I would
remember having had a child recently,” Plasmatrix said. She sent
a smile toward
Mong-Ku. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“There’s
something about it you
don’t forget. I think I’d know if anyone else here had. How many
persona are so
good that their kids will get the Niederhof special treatment?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I’ll
do a search on
that,” Starsmasher said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Gifts
mostly
are not inherited. Go down the list of current elite-class
persona.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You’ve never
heard of their parents, let
alone their children. Promise only works with those of us who
can engift our
descendants.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Perhaps
she’s a
construct,” the Screaming Skull said.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“They’re hard to kill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Could
the
League of Terran Justice have done this?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“This
was a
persona,” Plasmatrix said, “Someone with at least a few
first-rate gifts. The
League builds combat androids. Perhaps even smart androids.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Controlled engifting is our
monopoly.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Not
quite,”
Starsmasher reminded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“For
starters, our
dear friend the Silver General engifts people.” Solara grated
her teeth. She
had never forgiven the Silver General for seducing
Featherstonehaugh’s great-grandfather
away from her .<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Returning
to
topic,” Prince Mong-ku said, “Whoever has her hands on the
Namestone may be
able to use it to engift people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>What if
the Terran Justice people start cranking out agents who are
high-level
personas?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“The <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Copper Book</i> speaks to
that,” Starsmasher
answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The Namestone
lends gifts,
but does not give them away.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We
could
face one persona as powerful as the Namestone itself, but that’s
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“The
Namestone is a
foamspace tap,” Solara said. “But it has an aperture, one whose
size we
know.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Even without the
Ambihelicon, most
of us in a pinch could match it. Therefore, it is an annoyance,
not something
that can prevent the Great Plan from completing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Solara,
Starsmasher,” Plasmatrix said, “I know you are very fond of your
Namestone
Standard Model. But there are still these little gaps in your
reasoning.”
Solara did not quite roll her eyes. “First, the <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">Copper Book</i> may be fibbing about Namestone’s
powers. Second, this
Eclipse person may be able to use her own gifts to drive the
Namestone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She’s
obviously not a complete weakling.
Third, and I only finished the translation last century, the <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Goetica Arcana Stella
Magnus</i> clearly
claims that the Knights found occult ties between the Namestone
and the Solar
Deep Structures, ties implying the Namestone’s powers are vastly
greater than
you propose.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I read
your
translations ,” Solara said dismissively.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“At those power levels, the bearer will fry herself toot
sweet.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“The
Namestone,
yes,” the Screaming Skull said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“It
would be a useful tool for us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But
Eclipse?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When she
escaped Atlantis, it was too soon
for her to have the Namestone’s power. She used her own gifts to
survive and
escape. She is no weakling.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perhaps
she
can’t use Namestone’s full power yet, but she may still wreak
havoc. On the
great chess board, it seems there is a new formidable piece. It
must be found
and taken.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“We
should,”
Starsmasher agreed, “except for the minor detail of finding her.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Assuming it is actually a <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">her</i> and not a cleverly
disguised <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">him</i>. The
resources of most of the
League, though less than that guiding genius Dreikirch thinks,
are behind this
search.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Surely it will
bye and bye
succeed? My resources are devoted to this issue, though I have
another
so-to-speak problem.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Have
any of you
been following the screaming and raving between Argentina and
Brazil over the
giant sky octopi?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Giant
sky octopi?”
Prince Mong-ku asked. He perched his chin on his long fingers.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Did I sleep through those,
too?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have been
elsewise occupied, casting the
runes for the return of the three whose names are not to be
spoken. There seems
to be no change over the past century, or even the past
millennium.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Do
tell,”
Plasmatrix said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I’ve
been busy with
other matters, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Starsmasher
forced a
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Lords of
Eternity were
undoubtedly the most powerful personae in the world, not to
mention having
access to technologies and libraries undrempt of by normal men,
but sometimes
they seemed a bit distracted from reality.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“I’ve
seen press
reports,” Colonel Pi said. Starsmasher bit his tongue.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Pi resented meetings as
events that took him
away from his important tasks, notably advancing the security of
the House That
Is Forever. If he was also perpetually trying to gain a deeper
understanding of
gifts and their mechanisms,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>one
could
either say that he knew more than anyone else, or that he had
made almost no
progress. “The photographs are very strange indeed. Shall I try
reassembling
them?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Reassemble?” Plasmatrix asked.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Aren’t honest photographs
good enough, well,
up to image enhancement?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“The images don’t make sense,” Starsmasher
said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Solid bodies can’t
do those things, and
holograms can’t bite holes in buildings. The concern is that the
Argentines
claim the octopi are some Brazilian construct, and are lapsing
toward war.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“We are too close to a polar conjunction,”
Prince Mong-Ku
responded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The runes are
very clear. We
cannot afford to have a major commotion when one of those who are
not to be
named returns. Perhaps a war between Argentina and Brazil is not
so bad?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“The Argentines are not alone,” Starsmasher
said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“They have solid
American backing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After
centuries of isolationism, the American
Republic is emerging from its tortise shell, not at the most
helpful possible
moment. The Brazilians have Portuguese and hence English backing,
and the
IncoAztecan Empire may well see an opportunity to improve its
northern border,
so soon as the Americans appear to have entangled themselves in a
foreign
altercation.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“How convenient,” Plasmatrix said. She sounded
unconvinced.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I glanced at the photos,” Colonel Pi said. His
beard
ruffled the uppermost corners of his laboratory coat.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The garment was royal blue,
with rows of
arcane symbols stitched into every seam.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>His seal, the variant pi character in dark blue on a light
blue<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>circle, was
emblazoned on his<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>lapels.
“If they are real, the object -- sky
octopus or whatever -- is clearly at least quadridimensional.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That’s assuming that the
images are not a
clever fake.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“If you want fake evidence to start a war, “
Solara said,
“why fake evidence of something completely crazy? Why not fake
evidence of the
other side’s Persona Corps conducting atrocities?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“See,” Plasmatrix said, “the evidence has been
planned to be
so crazy that people can only think that the photographs must be
real.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Prince Mong-Ku buried his face in his hands.
“Plasmatrix?
You have another one of those espionage schemes, one in which
absolutely
anything might be true and facts lose all meaning? Yes, I know you
solve these
puzzles.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Still! “ <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“There are also the combat troops that appear
with the sky
octopi,” Starsmasher said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“They
appear
to have very strange gifts, ones that do not match anything we
routinely
distribute to the hoi polloi.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Indeed,
some of the apparent gifts don’t resemble anything that I can
identify.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Prince Mong-Ku tried to sound patient. “In any
event,
Colonel Pi might usefully try to reassemble the images of the sky
octopi, and
someone might stand ready to be teleported to the scene of the
next event, to
capture a few of the perpetrators. Are we good with this?” Heads
nodded. “Is
there anything else on our plate? Anything that can’t wait until
the next
meeting?” Heads shook.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In
that case, I
believe that we have reached my breakfast time, so we must be
adjourned.”<o:p></o:p></p>
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</span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0in;line-height:115%"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h1>Chapter Eight<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Secure Chamber Alpha<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">The Palace of Peace<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Geneva, Switzerland<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Afternoon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">January
13, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Holmgren
stood at
the head of the table, waiting for the ambassadors of the Great
Powers to be
seated. <span style="color:black">Finally all of them had
arrived and were in
place. He leaned into his chair and tapped his gavel once.
“Our recess is over.
We are again in session. The ambassadors who had placed
objection markers at
the last meeting have all indicated to me that they insist on
raising their
objections before we advance to Brigade Leader Valkyria and
her report on the
events at the Maze. I therefore recognize Ambassador
Buncombe.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;color:black">“Mr.
Chancellor,” Buncombe said, “during the earlier part of the
meeting this
morning several ambassadors indicated that it was the intent or
position of
their government that in the hypothetical case that the Bearer
was found,
within a country other than their own, that their governments
would be entitled
to send persona teams or even military units to the location of
the Bearer to
seize the Namestone. For example, if the bearer were to be found
in scenic
Buffalo, North New York, Buffalonians might find themselves
visited by the
persona teams and armed hosts of a series of countries I will
not embarrass by
naming.” Buncombe had not incidentally named one of America’s
wealthiest and
most significant industrial cities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The President and Speaker of
the American
Republic are in complete agreement that such a visitation, made
without the
invitation of the American Republic, which assuredly will not be
forthcoming,
would be viewed as an act of war. The American Elite Persona
Team would be
ordered to the scene to dispose of the invaders. Furthermore,
Speaker Ming has
called upon the Governors of all states to place in readiness
their Persona
State Guards to advance to the assistance of the American Elite
Persona Team.
The American team is under direct and explicit orders from the
President that
such an invasion is to be put down without quarter being
offered, unless the
invaders immediately and without offering resistance surrender
themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;color:black">“In
addition, the American Republic would view it to be an act of
war for any
foreign power to insert their persona teams into the territory
of any of the
Canadian Dominions, unless Her Majesty’s government had invited
them, in which
case the situation would be taken under advisement. As an
exception, any effort
of the IncoAztecan government to insert its persona teams or
armed hordes into
the territory of any other country in the Americas will be taken
to be a
declaration of war on the American Republic, a declaration
against which the
American Republic will respond in full. I believe that
Ambassador
Featherstonehaugh is the next to speak, and I yield to him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;color:black">“On
behalf of Her Majesty’s government,” Featherstonehaugh
responded, “I will say
that we are grateful for the offer of the American government to
support the
independence and liberty of each of Her Majesty’s Canadian
Dominions against
foreign invasion, with the clear understanding that has already
been negotiated
between our Minister of State and Speaker Ming that at such time
as we request
our American friends to depart that they will do so as
expeditiously as
possible given the potential need to assist the sick and
injured, extinguish
fires, and support the detention of foreign prisoners of war
pending their fair
trials and prompt executions. Potential needs were in fact
discussed at some
length; we are quite sure that the British Empire and the
American Republic are
in complete agreement on the notion of potential needs and
expeditious withdrawal.
Also, Her Majesty’s government views the independence and
security of other
nations in the Americas to be a critical matter for the security
of the British
Empire. There is no possibility that Her Majesty’s government
would consider
being responsible for the consequences if the independence and
security of any
of these nations were to be infringed upon. The longstanding
alliance between
her Majesty’s Realm and the Empire of the Brazilians is viewed
as particularly
sacrosanct. Having said that, I believe that Ambassador Davout
had signaled a
desire to speak, perhaps even before I did, but he graciously
offered to allow
me to speak first.” Featherstonehaugh passed the Speaking Stone
to Davout.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;color:black">“On
behalf of his Most Placid and Serene Majesty, the Sixth
Napoleon, may His House
endure forever, I must most emphatically indicate that the
French Empire
categorically and completely rejects the suggestion that foreign
powers are
entitled to besmirch the name of the Empire and the honor of the
Legion of
Glory by claiming a right to enter our territory and attack our
citizens, as
though we were unable to protect ourselves.”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Davout closed the case from which he had been reading his
remarks.</span>
The Legion of Glory, Buncombe, thought, was the French Military
Persona Host.<br>
<br>
Holmgren, fearing what was about to happen, nonetheless was
obliged to
recognize Ambassador Smoking Frog.<span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
color:black"> “The Living Sun, The First Speaker,” Smoking Frog
said, “has
anticipated the outrageous statements of the American Ambassador
and his
foreign toadies. The right of the League of Nations to take
possession of the
Namestone is beyond question or doubt.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>It is totally forbidden and contrary to the League
Charter, the votes of
this body, and the votes of the World Council for any nation to
take any other
stand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Furthermore, it
is the privilege
and duty of the persona leagues and military forces of every
nation of the
world to enforce these votes anywhere on the planet without
begging leave of
the local governments, all of which are entirely subordinate to
the League of
Nations and therefore must be brought to heel if they fail to
obey the League’s
righteous edicts. The people of the world may be assured that so
soon as the
Bearer is located, the Jaguar Knights and the Eagle Legion will
descend upon her,
strip her of the Namestone, and prepare her to be food for the
Gods, or such
other form of extended dying as this body may choose to
specify.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Holmgren
steeled himself for what would undoubtedly be the extended
remarks of most of
the remaining ambassadors, some saying that their countries were
entitled to
pursue the Namestone wherever it was found, and others saying
that there was no
such entitlement. On one hand, he considered, only a minority of
Great Powers
would claim their right of intervention.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>On the other hand, China and the IncoAztecan Empire would
both claim the
right of intervention.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Alas,
they were
probably the two most populous nations in the world, and both of
them were
vigorous about seeking out and training persona talents wherever
found.
Holmgren told himself that he had wisely packed several large
flasks in his
vest and suitcoat pockets, and suspected that very soon he would
be managing to
drain them of their fine beverages, all of which had begun their
lives as
grain, variously American, Scots, and Russian in extraction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">At long
last, the
argument over foreign intervention ran out of steam. “What do we
tell our
citizens?” Lars Holmgren finally responded prayerfully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Perhaps,”
Buncombe
said, “you could tell the people of the world that you
eventually reached this
meeting’s agenda.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Ah,
yes, the
original agenda. Eclipse and how she escaped. Is there an issue
here?” <span style="color:black"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span>The
Ambassadors
glowered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Valkyria,”
Holmgren said,
“Can you add anything to what happened afterward?”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Rolf,”
she
answered, her use of the first name reminding her audience of
the ill-kept
secret that she was also Lindgren’s mistress, or perhaps the
other way around,
“there is a written report with video support, which hopefully
all of you have
had time to study.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Let
me, however, note
that the broadcast video of my conversation with the Bearer does
not completely
agree with what I remember her saying. The actual events
appeared to be a
scenario that we’d examined very thoroughly, namely the ‘polite
declines to cooperate’
option.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The plan was not
perfect. I
believe one of Markgraf Moeller’s excellent volumes on tactics
treats plan
failure.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The first
failure was that the
Bearer does not look like all the drawings we are distributing.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She’s considerably shorter
than I am, enough
that at first I thought she was not the Bearer, and could not
imagine who she
was. It did not help that the Maze was doing time distortion, so
that my
teleport to St. Brendan’s Isle took some hours to complete.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Based on Eclipse’s actions
in the Maze, we
thought we had a good estimate of her gifts, namely close to
none.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We appeared on
Atlanticea with what should
have been overwhelming strength. The ancient American aphorism
is ‘If a company
seems enough, send in a division.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>That
way no one gets hurt.’ We’ve had time to do a complete
reconstruction.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Eclipse
was a solid target, not an illusion.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Most attacks on Eclipse
found their target. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All
six of my team drains were drawing at full
capacity.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lady Sylph is
emphatically
certain: The Screaming Skull hit Eclipse with his death command.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I hit her with the Katana
of Justice. All
that, and Eclipse’s defenses did not go down.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“She
used the
Namestone?” Elizaveta Romanoff asked. The Russian Ambassador’s
interruption was
only almost a question. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“The <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Copper Book of Harvest
Stars</i> is
completely clear,” Valkyria answered calmly.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“The Wizard of Mars agreed, a very expensive question to
have had
answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Bearer
needs several days
to mesh with Namestone’s powers. Until then, Namestone supplies
a few cosmetic
tricks, no more. Observe that Eclipse’s garb was immaculate, and
her face was
unmarred. That was all the Namestone did for her.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No, Eclipse stood up to us
using her own
shields. If she had a team backing her, they did a darn fine job
of remaining
invisible the whole time, not to mention fooling six Drains and
a Seer. I am
less bothered that we didn’t take her down, and more bothered
that the
Screaming Skull didn’t appear to have discomfitted her. Perhaps
I should also
be bothered that she did not give the Martyr her private persona
name. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Copper Book</i>
says that that is a
requirement for being given the Namestone. Somehow she managed
to dodge
answering his question.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Someone
who stands
up to the Skull? Is there such a person?” Legate Hong asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">Valkyria
rested her
chin on her fingertips. “Other Lords of Eternity. A few persona
from ancient
history.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ambassador
Featherstonehaugh’s
illustrious ancestor, Morgan La Fey. The Goetic Knights wore
enchanted armor,
armor superior to mine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
Marik Master
of Parades supposedly wore the Invincible Sigil of the Eternal
Procession. This
Eclipse person is none of the above. However, manifestly, there
is such a
person, because I hit her square on with the Katana of Justice,
and during the
explosion her force field did not waver.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“If I
may?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Prince Wang,
ambassador of the Celestial
Republic of the Han, rarely spoke. “We are not, Valkyria
excepted, masters of
the art of battle strategy. We should give those who are masters
of battle our
thoughts, not spend time chatting about tactics as the amateurs
we are.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, I
believe I see why we missed the
range of her gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She
neglected to use
them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She did not quite
attain the
ultimate feat of brilliancy ‘defeat your enemy without doing
anything’, but she
was parsimonious in her choice of methods.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>While in the Maze, she never teleported, mostly showed
human resistance
to heat and cold, played City of Steel well but not brilliantly.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Until we attempted to kill
her, she could
have been a very well trained ungifted woman.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Twenties perhaps sounds young. She might have a touch of
the gift of
agelessness.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perhaps
Valkyria can
explain what I am missing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“The <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Copper Book</i> explains
this,” Valkyria
answered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The Lesser
Maze tests
determination, purity of thought, cleverness, strength of mind,
and<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>physical and mental
training, not enormity of
power.” Unless, Valkyria thought, you cheat by presenting the
Maze with an
artificial construct that has no mental weaknesses. Alas, the
construct was not
quite ready to enter the Maze before his Eclipse showed up.
“Thus Cortez and
Fisher, the latter’s fleet being infinitely more powerful than
the former’s,
could come equally close to victory.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Your description may explain how Eclipse escaped.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The capture strategy, in
the few hours tactical
support teams in Europe had to insert fine detail, inferred her
gifts from her
acts in the Maze. We hit her vastly harder than should have been
needed, given the
gifts she had shown.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After
all, everyone
who has ever tried to walk the Maze, whether the two chess
grandmasters or any
of the World-Class personas, has while in the Maze used all of
their talents to
their uttermost limits.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She
didn’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“She
cheated!” Lord
Featherstonehaugh interjected.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“A
different
answer.” Saigo Shigetoshi, Legate of the Satsuma Daimyo, did not
officially
represent his country.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
Shogun’s
Court could deny responsibility for what he said.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Do not fear.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>At the end, as foretold by the <i
style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Harvest
Stars</i>, Eclipse had a choice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>She
could reach out and take the Namestone. Or she could ask, and be
given it if
she was worthy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am
totally
confident.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She asked.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She received the Namestone
freely.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Asked?
When she
could have taken it? She shows she is weak!” Markgraf Moeller
grumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Then I
must humbly
pray that we never have to contend with a strong persona bearing
the
Namestone,” Legate Hong whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Thus,”
Saigo
continued, “as she is as worthy as the Martyr, who read her soul
before
granting her the stone, she is no danger to anyone.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, she may defend
herself. Such acts
might have less than ideal consequences to nearby places, for
example the neighboring
continent.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Accordingly,
the Satsuma
Domain will not find it entirely convenient at this time to
participate in attempting
her capture.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“We
must mobilize
the people of the world,” Holmgren said, “to turn their united
talents to
capturing this person.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Wherever
she is –
yes, I agree the very limited evidence suggests somewhere in
Europe – we must
find her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In particular,
we must capture
this Eclipse person and free the Namestone before it falls into
truly wrong
hands.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Can you imagine
what the League
of Terran Justice would do with it?”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
League of Terror and Injustice was a permanent thorn in
Holmgren’s side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“All the power of all the
world’s
investigatory agencies, from the Okhrana to the fabled
Pinkertons, are hot in
her pursuit,” said Elizaveta Romanoff. “There can be no doubt.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We shall find her. Of
course, what we do when
we find her is another question.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Should
you not have
some plan for dealing with her before you find her?”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>American Ambassador
Thaddeus Buncombe showed
his usual practical nature. “Lest you find yourself like the
miniature poodle
that treed the pride of lions? How do you plan to match the
Namestone’s
power?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not to mention,
of course, that a
person who can stand up to that range of attacks without
flinching is no mere
milquetoast, no little girl pretending to be her older brother.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Eclipse is a persona of no
slight power.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The most
obvious demonstration of this is the
dog that did not bark.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Ahh,
the Great
English Detective Helmesham,” Legate Saigo said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Precisely.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This person is being
attacked by our League’s
most powerful Strike Team, not to mention a Lord of Eternity.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What does she do?<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nothing.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Not a thing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Most
people, seeing
what was about to happen to them, would at least try shooting
back, piously
hoping that they might possibly fire a silver arrow.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Eclipse just stood there.
Of course, you
could claim that she has no combat gifts, just a sharp knife,
but no combat
gift is an exceedingly odd match to at least twelfth-level
screens, not to
mention effective second-order defenses. You could also propose
she was so slow-witted
that she did not recognize what was about to happen to her, but
someone so dull
could never have solved the Maze. No, this Eclipse person was
confident that
her gifts would shield her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A
list of
known personae who are that confident in their gifts is very
short.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Indeed,”
Singh
said, “As she is clearly not a Lord of Eternity, there is one
obvious
possibility.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While she
is shorter than
history books report, it is possible that the Namestone is now
in the hands of
the Silver General.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Looks
of horror
criss-crossed the room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Some
would feel
surprise that the Supreme Mistress of Terror and Treachery was
found worthy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">“Mercifully,”
Featherstonehaugh responded, “I can rule out that inspired and
sensible
inference.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Silver
General appeared
regularly in London in Queen Victoria’s declining years. My
great-grandfather,
who was something of a lady’s man, became, how shall I put it,
her very close
friend, and noted in his diary that they were of a height, that
height being
five feet, ten inches, much taller than the Bearer who Valkyria
encountered.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt"><span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Perhaps we should ask those
who have so-far
remained silent if they had anything useful to add?” Elizaveta
Romanoff made
her grandmotherly smile, knowing the Special Peace Executive
would hear
effusive promises of support, promises that she knew to be of
dubious
reliability.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was
possible, she
thought, that some of the Great Powers did not plan to keep
secret their
capture of the Namestone, at least until they had used the
Namestone to conquer
the world. She hoped that no one would press her to name a Great
Power that was
so strangely run. It seemed far less possible that any Power
would voluntarily
hand the Namestone over to dear Lars. Nonetheless, the promises
would be
extensive, time-consuming, pointless, and last until an
appropriate hour for
recess had been reached.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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ol
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ul
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mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
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