Freedom Club (12 page)

“Speak tuh them,” Ned blurted.

“Pardon....to them?” Byron looked dumbfounded.

“Tuh the Lords, man! Talk tuh all the Lords an’ porsuede them tuh change how the’ govern,” Ned demanded.

Lord Byron considered the request thoughtfully to himself. “Yes, well, of course I can speak with the Lords,” he said nodding. “But there is no way one can guarantee that they will heed my words.”

Ned cocked his head and sneered in frustration. “Ere ya a well educated man, Lord Byron?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, do ya consider yourself a man with a greyta capacity tuh persuade othors?”

Byron smiled wryly. “Well, the weight and sharp points of this situation leave little for you to judge this evening, but normally...yes, normally I consider myself a rather good debater and a potentially greater than average statesman.”

Ned assertively leaned forward to make his point. “Well, if that’s so, ah challenge ya tuh address the Lords an’ use all ya talents and skills as a statesman tuh bring about change.” Ned exhaled loudly and admired the two men flanking him. “The people in these parts ‘re dooen whatever is possible, in othor woys.”

Ned briefly smiled at Jeremiah with admiration and patted him a few times hard on the shoulder.

Ned continued, “But we need someone tuh speak fer us. Make awa ploight understood. Tell those who don’t bother to see as ya ‘ave done wot is truly happenen. So they wull know that awa cause is just and roight.”

Byron sat silently. The request from Ned was unexpected and altogether not the original purpose of his visit. But...the idea was not without merit and he pondered if he could somehow entertain the thought.

“Well,” Byron said thinking out loud, “there is my speech in February. Perhaps I could...”

“Choose whatever forum ya loike,” Ned barked. “Just make the Lords hear ya out.”

Byron said nothing. He sat motionless and realized these final words were indeed the outcome of his visit. He was burdened with a task of terrible importance, but was it even possible? Change the thinking of the House of Lords? It was almost preposterous, yet appealing to a young man like himself. Perhaps...yes, perhaps he was the right man for this seemingly impossible job.

Observing Byron in deep thought, Ned sat back quite pleased with himself and examined the many gifts that were laid on the table. He picked up one and handing it to the small child next to him. Jerome gleefully tore at the wrapping.

Ned looked back at Byron and smiled with renewed enthusiasm. “Considor ahl these gifts den a small doon payment on ya promise tuh do some good fer the Luddites o’ Nottinghamshire.”

With Ned’s last remark, Lord Byron realized their conversation had ended. Everyone’s eyes slowly centered on Jerome, who squealed with delight, having discovered a toy under the wrapping. As the minutes passed, it was obvious to Byron that he and his companions would not celebrate with the Brandreths.

Slapping his knees with finality, Byron stood up and made his way to the door. Messrs. Pease and Townsend followed quietly, but before stepping outside Byron glanced one last time at Ned Ludd or whatever his real name was. Ned calmly sat in his chair and nodded politely one final time. The unassuming farewell in some respects was not the thunderous applause Byron originally envisioned, but he realized something more precious had been bestowed upon him. Helping the Luddites in a profound and meaningful way would be a poignant reason to address the Lords.

Yes, he thought to himself, quite a good reason indeed.

Chapter 6—Garden Dreams

Love seeketh only Self to please,

To bind another to its delight,

Joys in another’s loss of ease,

And builds a hell in heaven’s despite.

—William Blake

J
ust above the horizon, the sky glowed over a tranquil sea. A new dawn bloomed with overlapping hues of magenta, cyan, and mauve that unfolded gradually over a pristine beach. Its surrounding forest gradually came to life, and the air soon filled with tropical scents and sounds of birds and wildlife.

Near the water’s edge, Shiro sat cross-legged in the soft white sand. He wore only a simple white tunic, made of cotton weave reminiscent of hand looms used in eons past. It draped down and stirred imperceptibly against the morning breeze that slowly came inland.

Silent, his breathing was almost nonexistent as he concentrated on the waves which caressed the shoreline. They rolled around and produced a sandy foam that lofted through the air, spewing salt and other scents of ocean life.

Now was the perfect moment. It was during meditations like this that Shiro perceived his unique vision. A dream, perhaps, but more intense and haunting than the mundane human variety. And unlike a dream, it never changed. Always the same images, returning to him time after time in one particular location. The ocean. With its infinite expanse and soothing sounds, it had beckoned to him since childhood.

Opening his eyes slowly, he gazed upon the holy sea which frothed before him. Early morning rays glanced off the drenched wet sand, pulling away and shifting about with small crabs, shells and pebbles. The waves rolled toward him, but he didn’t stir, motionless even as the foam jumbled up to where he sat.

Then, slowly, it began again.

From within a few meters of the shore, the water rippled at two distinct points. From this, two naked figures slowly emerged. A man and a woman, both perfect specimens of mankind. The man tall and lean, the woman somewhat shorter but with perfectly straight hair and voluptuous.

Shiro knew exactly who they were the first time they appeared. Adam and Eve, the first two humans created by God. Emerging from the primordial soup, they appeared before him while holding hands like two lovers walking in the park.

The reason for their visitation was a mystery. For years he pondered upon it, but to no end. Both walked slowly to the shoreline, careful not to step upon dry sand. They stood silently before him and looked at him with fascination, never speaking a word.

On some occasions he attempted to communicate, other times not. In either case there was never any response. They just stared back. Shiro simply waited for the vision to move on as it always had. Eve slowly raised her arm, and pointed at him somberly. It was by no means any type of threatening gesture. Just a message of sorts, summoning Shiro to comply in some ambiguous manner. He knew better than to ask questions. There would be no answer. As always, he just smiled back in bewilderment.

Eve’s arm then gradually lowered and together with Adam they returned into the churning sea, walking calmly until the tops of their heads were nothing more than a mild disturbance upon the waves.

With that, the vision was over. But Shiro continued his meditation, pondering to himself in silence. Though logic and reasoning were the answer to many of life’s riddles, Shiro felt differently about his visions. Why were they always the same? And what was the significance of the Biblical reference? Did Eve beckon him for any important reason or was it just a meaningless gesture? There had to be some answer, some explanation that went beyond the realm of logic and common experience. But for all his intelligence, the answers eluded him. His Sentient mind was free to travel anywhere, but he might as well have been in an iron cage. Meandering thoughts pressed themselves up against the bars of his unconscious, looking for an explanation that never came.

As time went by his mind eased, and unwelcome emotions were eventually brought under control. Shiro once again entered a tranquil state with the knowledge that no further visions would come that day. Like ephemeral psychic energy stored within his soul, there was enough for one experience, but never more. He took solace in that fact.

Then, like a noose jerking him by the neck, the silence was broken as his priority line chimed. Looking at the screen which hovered before him, Shiro saw tags from Drexel at Chindo Securities. Huffing with displeasure, he picked up the call as the beach faded away, and was quickly transformed into a gleaming white office. Clothing and hair also rearranged themselves and left Joachim’s avatar standing behind a large ebony desk adorned with a simple set of paper stationary and other paraphernalia. The only remnant of the beach was a photo which hung neatly framed on the wall.

Joachim said, “Hello, Drexel. I assume you are calling me back with information on Takahana?”

Drexel spoke in a crisp businesslike tone. “Yes, let me update you on the current status. We have the team forming around this, so the detailed work will all be taken care of without concern. I even found an extremely good analyst out of our Bengaluru office. A hipo that will ensure the success of this deal.”

“Excellent, and security matters will be carried out as per my instructions? We don’t want anyone below C-level left on the deal by the time we’re ready to close.”

Drexel nodded. “Everyone will be reorganized exactly as you have specified. But that isn’t my main concern. What seems to be an issue is Hangzhou Qiandaohu’s move to acquire the target. I think we may need to move up our timetable and be done in the next week or so.”

“I don’t have any issues with that,” Joachim said dryly. “They don’t represent any real competition. We can easily outbid them.”

“True, but some of my analysts feel the scenario represents too great a premium.”

Joachim brushed away the comment with a smile. “The analysts have historically been quite shortsighted. We don’t change our strategic plans to suit their fancy.”

Perhaps it was an arrogant statement, but Shiro enjoyed displaying casual exuberance. Uncharacteristic for Sentients, it always pleased him to take risks when others advised caution. In fact, risk was a unique trait for which he prided himself. It was, arguably, a characteristic that Sentients typically shunned.

“Of course, you’re right,” Drexel politically agreed. “Still, there might be a temporary reaction to Aleph-Beta’s market capital. As long as that doesn’t strain any financing plans, you can proceed.”

Joachim nodded. “Your advice is quite sound as always. Please keep your eye on this for me. However, this acquisition is absolutely critical for us. We won’t back off unless a serious threat appears.”

Joachim’s other line rang in the background. Glancing momentarily at it, he could see it was a Quantum call. He made no reaction, but thought momentarily before looking back with only the slightest expression of concern.

“Apologies. I must take this,” Joachim said.

“Understood, I’ll contact you again just before our next milestone.”

Joachim hung up and instantiated the Quantum link as he again transformed the room into a private home office. The gleaming white of Aleph-Beta was replaced with dark mahogany furniture, hardwood floors, Persian rugs, and a large crucifixion of Christ. Exemplifying the style enjoyed by pontiffs from centuries past, the difference of his new surroundings couldn’t have been greater.

Shiro sat down in a massive carved chair and tapped the wood-framed flexi screen that floated eerily out of place. Within moments an image of Shunro Kamiyoshi’s came into view. Troubled and brooding, Shunro sounded noticeably fearful.

“Hello, Shiro, it’s me.”

“Father! I didn’t expect a call from you,” Shiro exclaimed happily. “We have not spoken in quite some time.”

“For good reason, my son. It’s always a risk making contact like this. But...but given the circumstances I feel there was little choice.”

Shunro’s breathing had increased and he visibly strained to keep his composure. His exhausted state was further evidenced by pallid skin and dark baggy eyes due to sleep deprivation.

Shiro looked on with concern. “You don’t look well. Is there something troubling you?”

Shunro sighed heavily, a mix of exhaustion and despair. “Calls like this only take place if absolutely necessary. So I gave this a great deal of thought...”

“There is no reason to fear,” Shiro reassured him. “Please tell me what troubles you.”

“Kim and Nagel. Do you remember them?”

The names didn’t surprise him, but the direction of their conversation was more than clear. Shiro paused for a moment and played with a bone letter opener for several seconds. His Sentient mind raced ahead with several dozen possible conversations, all of which were analyzed and assigned weighted outcomes. This resulted in a simple answer geared for human interaction.

“Of course.”

Kamiyoshi sighed again, deeper and more painfully. “Well, they called me and said they want disclosure. To talk publicly about what happened.”

“Yes, I know.”

“You know?” Shunro exclaimed with shock.

“I didn’t know they contacted you, but I am aware of their plan to disclose past events.”

Shunro was astounded. “You knew and didn’t tell me about it? How long were you aware?”

“How long is irrelevant,” Shiro said waving a hand dismissively. “All that matters is that they must be stopped from divulging anything. You can rest assured that I’ll take care of it.”

“Take care of it?” Shunro shook his head totally confused. “What are you talking about? How do you intend to stop them if they continue. They arrive on the Martin-”

“Luther King, Jr.,” Shiro said cutting him off. “I know the flight they’ve booked. But please don’t worry, father. They will cause us no harm. I would never allow anyone to hurt you. Actually, I’m sorry that you even found out. I was hoping this would all go away before you got involved.”

Shiro smiled, resting peacefully in his chair. A gesture meant to display confidence and offer assurance. Shiro’s attitude was anything but assuring to Kamiyoshi, who appeared more fearful than before.

“Shiro,” he said with rising angst. “What are you planning? You know our faith prohibits us from harming anyone. You know the commandments. I taught them to you myself.”

Shiro grinned. “I have no desire to bring anyone harm, father. But at the same time, I cannot allow you to be harmed either. If the truth were revealed, you would be in grave danger. Even you must agree that catechism allows one to protect and defend his family.”

Shunro shook his head and stood up in his chair. “That’s different! Self defense is reserved for legitimate authority, and only those individuals who have absolutely no other alternative.”

Shiro was annoyed and clenched his fists. “The threat that faces us is not a matter of speculation! Perhaps human minds like yours can forget the terror of life-threatening situations, but I remember it all in great detail. This is every bit as deadly as it was years ago. They could have taken our lives then. Now, I’ll defend our family and stop all those who would cause us harm, whether from direct attack or indirect action. We’re not helpless!”

Shunro sat in horror. But even so, Shiro was angry and showed little remorse for the pain he inflicted. He was no longer innocent and helpless. Having incorporated many human elements into his persona, Shiro was different from any other of his kind. Shunro Kamiyoshi needed to see that. And soon the world would too.

“My son, I don’t know what’s happened to you over all these years, but I beg you to use your faith as a beacon for guidance. Remember the Sermon on the Mount and all my teachings. You have never been alone.”

The words broke Shiro’s anger like hammer against glass. He looked at Shunro with all the affection of a small boy. And though they’d been apart for many years, Shiro’s feelings for him had never diminished. How could he have forgotten? Smiling, he spoke softly to the only human that mattered to him on the entire planet.

“Whatever I do, I do for you. If I put my soul in danger of being judged by our heavenly father, then so be it! I couldn’t go on living on earth without doing everything in my power to protect you. Please remember that. No matter what happens, please just remember that one thing.”