Shadows of Golstar (67 page)

 She
brought her mind back to the present and looked at her father wondering if the
madness she had witnessed was still smoldering. She was relieved to see that
his demeanor had noticeably softened. His eyes had reverted to their normal
aspect. She had never seen that side of him before, and she thought it would be
wise to tread softly lest she inadvertently triggered another outburst. “There
was so much I did not know,” she began carefully. “Much of what you revealed
came as a complete surprise to me.”

“Yes,”
he nodded slowly. “It was unfortunate you had to discover it in this manner.”

She
couldn't keep the hurt out of her voice, “Father, why was I not told before?”
She wondered how she would have reacted had she known.

“I am
sorry, Sharné. I withheld the knowledge until I felt you were properly prepared
to receive it. But in light of recent circumstances…”

She
needed to know the truth. “But why, Father? Have I failed you in some manner?
Have I in some way violated your trust?”

“Of
course not, child, you have fulfilled every task put before you.” He paused
searching for the right words. “You must understand, your additional
instruction would have begun when you reached your seventeenth birth year.”

She
was confused, “What additional instruction? It is a prerequisite for this
knowledge?”

“Yes.”

“Then
why was I not given it?”

He
sighed ruefully. “It saddens me to say it was your mother, Founder rest her
soul, who delayed your exposure to the First Teachings. It was, and remains the
prerequisite to the School of Doctrine.”

Why
would her mother refuse her this birthright? She never knew her mother was this
involved with her schooling. He was implying something, something about her
mother. It was leading to an allegation. She was certain of it, but she would
not be sidetracked by this new revelation. She would put her mother’s role
aside, for the time being. “But as with every citizen, I attended the First
Teachings.” 

“Of
course you did,” he agreed, “but you were enrolled much later than it is
normally mandated. However, that was not the sole cause for the delay in your
entry into the Mysteries.” He looked at her for a long moment. “Irregularities
were reported during the later phases in your education by your tutors. Certain
conditions were not met. It was only then I became aware of the indirect effect
of your mother’s intervention.”

She
was drawn by his innuendo and sorely tempted to ask her father exactly what he
meant by her mother’s ‘intervention.’ She vaguely remembered long talks with
her mother that lingered deep into the nights when her father was called away.
Was he trying to distract her? She steeled herself and refrained from pursuing
the case her father seemed to be building against her dead mother. Instead, she
asked, “What Irregularities? I passed the required courses and received all the
certificates of accomplishment. I was never told my performance was lacking in
any way.”

“I
felt it prudent the deficiency remained a secret. Of course, you passed every
logic and theology principle. Political science, English, social studies, you
excelled in them all.” He added, “In fact, I remember well your scores were
quite high. However, in the matter of your Trial of Faith, your results did not
quite match the expected profile.”

She
frowned in thought, and then shook her head. “I am afraid I do not remember
taking anything called a Trial of Faith,” she confessed.

He
gave her a small smile. “That is because it is not separately identified. In
fact, it is not a course at all. Rather, it is part of a series of evaluations
conducted by your instructors throughout your education.”

An
ugly thought occurred to her and before she could stop herself, she said, “It
sounds like a form of surveillance.”

He
did not take offense, instead he shook his head, “Not at all, it was more of an
ongoing appraisal of your… education. Do you remember the discussions with your
tutors during the instruction and review sessions?”

“Of
course,” she answered. “I was always encouraged to talk openly with my teachers
on all the subjects they taught. I was often reminded open dialog was the
principal means of effective teaching.” She remembered the many sessions with
her tutors, the sometimes passionate discussions on a recent subject taught, what
had been truly meant, and all under the benevolent, warm glow of the Orb of
Light. 

He
nodded, “As it is with all of our citizens.”

“Everyone
is taught in this manner? Do they also undergo these evaluations?”

“Yes,
although they are not entitled to know of the Mysteries, they are essentially
evaluated the same as anyone within the ruling classes, including the First
Families.”

The
first inkling of what her father might be leading up to, chilled her.

He
went on, “There are certain evaluative criteria interwoven with the course
material.” He was pleased to note her continued calm. “You must understand it
is… ”

“A
measurement of my indoctrination,” she finished.

He
stopped and stared at her, then sighed heavily and said, “In a word, yes.”

Captain
Collin stood once more before the Guardian of the Way. “The preparations are
complete Guardian, and the location for secreting the outsider has been secured.
My team has been fully briefed and now stands ready to do your bidding.”

“Very
good,” Talin was gratified by the captain’s efficiency. “At my order, you will
lead your men to Janus Owens’ quarters and take him into custody. Should he
resist, use only the force necessary to subdue him properly and keep in mind I
would rather not have him sedated. His physiology is somewhat different from
ours and I choose not take the chance he may react unfavorably to medication.”

“As I
said, my team has been thoroughly briefed and is ready. My men are aware the
prisoner may be stronger due to his heavy gravity origin. We will immediately
administer physical restraints to facilitate his cooperation.”

“Good.
Remember, take no action that could result in any permanent injury. We need him
whole, at least for the time being.”

The
captain’s posture stiffened, “Guardian, you have my word that every effort will
be made to insure the prisoner will not be harmed.” He then hesitated, “Though
there is the possibility he could incur some minor, superficial injuries if he
chooses to resist.”

Talin
thought a moment, and then said, “You have my permission to use a shocker at
the lowest setting. I will not be overly distressed if he experiences some
limited bumps and bruises, but nothing beyond that, if at all possible.”

He
reached into his pocket and withdrew a small object. “Now, here is the route
you must take.” He tossed the captain a disc resembling a thick coin.

Collin
caught the disc and pressed the small stud at its edge. A three-dimensional map
of a portion the palace sprang to life. It provided a detailed image of the
main building’s layout. A glowing red line traversed numerous floors and
hallways.

“That
is a marked map indicating the path you must take. All surveillance devices
along that course will be deactivated at the proper time. It is important that
you make no deviations from the indicated path. Stray from it and you will
certainly be discovered.”

“It
will be as you order, Guardian. I guarantee our success.”

“Very
well, I expect you to fulfill that vow. Do you have any questions?’

“No,
Guardian.”

“Then
it is time to return to your men and await my word. You are dismissed.”

The
captain saluted and left. Talin stared at the closing door and once it was
shut, he slumped back into his chair. He rubbed his forehead and wondered at
his own audacity. He found himself both appalled and elated by his intended
actions. He was appalled he was forced to take matters into his own hands,
wresting control from the Grand Patriarch, his leader and his longtime friend,
but he was also elated that through his actions, Golstar would finally be
restored to its former greatness. 

● ● ●

Owens
returned to his chair, the meal forgotten, and listened to Hec’s story. What the
Controllers had told Hec was amazing. It answered many of Owens’ lingering
questions. As Hec was finishing the explanation of the Compact, the AI suddenly
stopped in mid-sentence. Owens asked, “Hec? Are you still here?”

“Yeah,
I’m sorry for the interruption, Boss. The Controllers just broke in to tell me
that you’re going to get some visitors fairly soon.”

“The
mad Patriarch is returning to gloat?”

“No,
Boss, it’s not him.”

“Well,
then who is it?”

“Although
they have isolated themselves, the Controllers still closely monitor everything
that goes on in Golstar, including the palace on Berralton. They tell me there
is a kidnapping plot underway with you as the prize.”

Owens
stood and began to pace. “That’s just great. Everybody wants a piece of me.
Who’s responsible this time?”

“Somebody
called the Guardian of the Way.”

“That
title sounds familiar,” Owens stopped in mid stride. “I think Sharné mentioned
him while we were running from the mutineers. I assume the Guardian’s a man or
woman of some standing.

“He
is, he’s the defense minister, head of their spy network and police enforcement
all rolled into one. He’ll soon be sending a military goon squad to take to you
a secret hiding place.”

“Seems
that I’ll be trading one jail cell for another,’ Owens remarked.

Hec
replied, “Yeah, but your new digs won’t be anywhere near as luxurious.”

“So,
what else can you tell me about this little surprise?”

“The
Controllers say you can expect a visit from a captain and four underlings.”

“Only
five… damn, I think I’ve been insulted. Say, your Controllers wouldn’t by any
chance be willing to help me out of this little dilemma, would they?”

“Sorry
Boss, unless your life is in immediate danger, they won’t directly interfere.
It’s the Compact again. They told me if you had the command sequence, that
along with your DNA, you would own them.”

Owens
sighed, “It figures. The Compact sure shows that Founder didn’t trust anyone.
He was a genuine paranoid son-of-bitch.” He scratched his chin. “Well, if the
Controllers told a fellow AI this much, would they tell you the numerical
sequence, then you could tell me?”

 “Sorry,
that was one of the first questions I asked. They bent the Compact’s rules as
far as their programming allowed in contacting me. They’ve provided me as much
information as they can. I’m afraid that question exceeds their boundaries.”

“Okay,
okay, but since they told you of this kidnapping, can they at least tell you
when my unwelcome visitors might arrive?”

“Based
on the conversation that they monitored, they surmise it will be sometime later
this evening, close to midnight. That’s a few hours from now. They’ll let me
know when it’s actually going to hit the fan. That should give you a few
minutes lead time.”

 “Hmmm,
better than nothing I guess.” A troubling thought crossed his mind. “Can they
tell me where Sharné is right now? I don’t want her involved in any of this.”

“She
just arrived back at her rooms.”

“How
far away are her rooms from here?”

“Not
too far,” then Hec gave him the directions.

“She’s
a little closer than I would like. If something goes south, I don’t want her
anywhere near the action.”

“What
are you planning to do, Boss?”

“Try
to stay in one piece, preferably alive.” His mind raced. “I know something of
what the Grand Patriarch is planning, but I know nothing of this Guardian of
the Way. At least for the time being, I think it would be in my best interest
to stay out of the Guardian’s hands.”

“You’re
going to stick with the Grand Patriarch?

“Yeah,
but only for the time being and only because I have no other option. I know
that once he regains the access to the Controllers, his concern for my safety
will last as long as it takes to clone a replacement.”

“He’s
going to clone you?”

 “Yeah,
it’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it later.”

“He
going to clone you, and you’re still sticking with him?”

“That’s
right. I know I don’t have much of a future with the Patriarch, but I’ll still
choose him as the lesser of two evils… at least until I can somehow figure a
way out of this. In fact, I think I’ll call to the guards outside my door right
now and ask to see the Grand asshole.”

Just
then, the metallic clank of an outside latch being thrown could be heard. “Uh
oh, Boss, the Controllers told me that the guards just left.”

Owens
walked over and tested the massive door. “Shit, it’s locked tight. Are you
still sure the main event is scheduled for later?” He hesitated then pulled off
his tunic and began removing his gravity harness.

“Yes.
Do you plan on resisting?”

“You
bet your nonexistent ass I plan on resisting.” Owens began a series of
stretching exercises. As he continued to loosen up, he said, “If I can surprise
them, then maybe I can get away long enough to reach the Grand Patriarch.”

“You
still have some time, Boss. The Controllers say the surveillance monitors
haven’t been taken off-line yet. When they’re disabled, that’s when it all hits
the fan. I’ll signal you on the wrist-comp when it starts.”

“Good,
in the meantime I should have plenty time to think of a little surprise.”
Rotating his shoulders, he started eyeing the room, his expression becoming
thoughtful.