The Shadow and Night (47 page)

Vero nodded and looked around. “Thanks. Any other points about what we face?”

Perena stirred. “Just one, Vero. A question. The creatures you describe are so low technology they do not seem to use tools. But whatever weapon was fired indicates advanced technology, as does the interception of the Gate call. And maybe the ship—if it was indeed a ship—that landed. I don't see how it fits together.”

Before Vero could answer, Merral spoke. “There is one more piece of the puzzle that may help. I should have said it earlier. Just before the weapon was fired the first time, I saw something in the shadows, standing back. It was a different creature.”

Vero opened his mouth wide. “You mean a third type?”

“No. Sorry, Vero, I meant to tell you but, well, I was too busy afterward. I think it was a man.”

“A man!” Anya's voice echoed round the room, but it was plain that the others were equally surprised.

“Well, I can't be sure,” Merral answered, feeling challenged. “It just, well, looked like one.”

“A man?” Vero's tone expressed surprise. “That would confirm an outlandish speculation of mine. . . . But to answer Perena, a just-conceivable scenario might be something like this: These creatures are created, I'm afraid, merely as servants. The technology and the weapons belong to the creators, not the creatures. The classic pre-Intervention slave economy.”

Perena looked thoughtful. Then she glanced up at the wall clock and Merral followed her gaze to see that it was nearly midnight.

“Vero,” she said, “I indicated that I would call again at twelve.”

“Ah yes. But we have nearly finished. Let me tell you what I think. And then I will make a proposal.”

He frowned and then looked around, his smooth face tired. Merral suddenly felt that he had a glimpse of what an older Vero would look like. “A common theme emerges. Does anybody else see it? Or is it just me?”

There were puzzled looks. “Only that horrid things seem to have been done all around,” Anya offered.

Vero nodded and rose to his feet, walked to the end of the room and stood there against a battery of equipment. He stretched his limbs and frowned. “It is that boundaries have been broken. The boundaries between humanity and animals, between living things and machines.” He stopped and his face showed an expression of disgust. “But there may yet be a darker twist. The bird thing. You all expressed revulsion. And rightly so. It masqueraded as a living creature. It was a machine imitating life, in contravention of all that we have ever maintained about such facsimiles. In doing so, it crossed a boundary. But there was worse. It was built on a dead bird.”

Perena shuddered. “That . . . I do not—or cannot—understand.”

Merral caught a look of extraordinary repulsion on Anya's face.

“Yes,” Vero said, “and we can but hope they can shed light on it on Ancient Earth. But this is yet another boundary broken. And this, this monstrosity is perhaps the greatest of the breaches. The boundary between life and death. To raise the dead is the prerogative of the Messiah alone. And this—most assuredly—was none of his handiwork. On the contrary.”

In the silence that followed, Vero tightened his lips and looked around the room. “But you see, this is part of a pattern too. From Merral's dream onward, through the problems at Herrandown, there is a second theme. A theme of spiritual corruption unparalleled in the long years since the Rebellion, and maybe since the start of the Great Intervention. If I had to choose between the visible genetic abominations we have seen and the less visible spiritual problems, I would choose the latter as the most worrying. But the linkage of the two is most terrible.”

Merral looked at him. “So, what do we do?”

Vero smiled. “Ah, ever the man of action. In fact, I have made a decision for myself.” He looked at Perena. “Can you check for me now?”

She rose gracefully. “There's a diary link point outside. Excuse me.” She left the room.

Vero walked forward and leaned on his chair back. “I need to talk with Brenito as soon as I can. Then we need to meet with the representatives here, but that would take a few days to organize. And, in the meantime, Earth must know. This matter is quite beyond us here and it raises issues that affect the entire Assembly. This matter must go straight to an emergency session of the Council of High Stewards. They will doubtless summon the whole Congregation of all the Stewards, the Farholme Delegate, and the Science Panel. I have no doubt, too, that the Custodians of the Faith would be consulted about the spiritual aspects.”

“And the sentinels?” Merral asked, awed at the realization that this matter would have to go so high and so quickly.

“If asked.” Vero looked thoughtful. “But, oddly enough, we have served our purpose in this matter. Or very nearly. We only ever existed to watch and alert. This we have done. It could be, perhaps, that in this case we might have done better, but that is for discussion at another time.”

Merral could faintly hear Perena outside talking on her diary.

“Do you think you can safely call Earth?” Anya asked.

Vero shook his head. “How? We cannot trust Gate communications. Your attempt to contact Maya Knella has taught us that. The files must be hand carried to Ancient Earth as secretly and fast as we can manage.”

Anya nodded. “Yes, I can see that. But the council and everybody—what do you think they will do?”

“I think I can safely say they will rapidly muster the entire Defense Force and bring them in. There are only two ships, and even by Assembly standards they are elderly, but they—and their men—will be enough to search the north. Beyond that, I do not know.”

The door opened and Perena came in and smiled at Vero. “Done. Two.”

Vero seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “So, I propose to leave for Earth on the next ship. The
Heinrich Schütz.
It departs the Gate Station at 10 a.m. Central Menaya Time the day after tomorrow—no, tomorrow now. In just thirty-four hours time. We will take tonight's in-system shuttle.”

“
We?
” Merral asked, a bizarre speculation suddenly forming in his mind.

Vero walked round from his chair and grasped Merral gently on the shoulder.

“Yes, soldier,” he said, “
we.
I want to take you too.”

“Are you serious?” Merral gasped, his mind reeling. To Ancient Earth! He had hoped to go someday, but today? In barely hours?

Vero's smile seemed weary. “Yes, for one thing, they—whoever
they
are—probably expect us to stay here and meet up with the representatives. But the four other representatives need to fly in, so we can hardly summon a meeting today and, as tomorrow is the Lord's Day, they ought to know that we will not have any real meetings for two days. They may also be in disarray after their losses.”

“But why me? To Earth?” Merral asked. “All that way?”

He was suddenly aware that he must sound stupid, and he realized that Anya was staring at him, her face a mixture of amusement and envy.

“Merral,” Vero commented, “I need you. I cannot answer all the questions that will be asked. And the testimony of two is stronger than one. You have also seen and grappled with these things. If I went alone there might be a concern that it was my allegedly fertile imagination. Besides, this way, we take duplicate data. But don't you want to go?”

“Yes. . . .
No.
” He gulped. “I mean, I haven't really thought it through yet. And my family and Isabella. And Henri at work. I need to talk to them.”

Vero looked at him, his brown eyes showing concern. “I understand exactly. But just think what has happened to us today. And think what is at stake. It is beyond computation.”

Merral thought for a moment and swallowed. The words
Ancient Earth
seemed to thud in his mind. “No, you are right. We need to go.”

Vero raised a finger in warning. “Oh, and Anya and Perena can give farewells and apologies once you are gone. But, in the meantime, no diary calls.”

“Okay,” Merral answered. “But I need things. I mean, I'm not prepared. Anyway, there's a waiting list for places.”

Vero looked at him. “You need little. Perena has sorted the places out. I wasn't sure she could do it for both of us so I delayed telling you. It would hardly have been fair to disappoint you.”

Merral turned to Perena. “So that is what you were up to! But how have you done it? It must have taken one of the representatives to get you on with an urgent priority status. There's always a waiting list for spare seats.”

Perena grinned. “There's one power equivalent to the representatives in such matters and that's Space Affairs. For whom I work. And you are traveling on an urgent mission.”

“But you didn't tell them? Surely not?”

Vero was smiling now. “No,” he said, “but while you were getting your wound dressed, Perena and I talked about this. She suggested that, in view of the curious and alarming problem occurring to General Survey Craft
Nesta Lamaine
today, it was appropriate—even a necessity—to send the plate samples to Earth. On urgent-priority status. You and I will hand carry them for her.”

Perena interrupted with a gesture. “But you
will
be taking plate samples and I would like an assessment—fast.
Please.
”

“I see,” Merral replied, his brain still spiraling furiously around the concept, “but won't they know if they control the information networks?”

Vero looked at Perena.

“There were,” she said, “two Space Affairs engineers going—Sabourin and Diekens. They have been asked to stand down and go on the next flight.” She looked at the floor, as if embarrassed. “Unusually, their names have not been removed from the manifest. Even more unusually, they are keeping quiet about the fact that they are not going. You, er—just replace them. You are even dressed for the part.”

Vero gave her a look of amused respect. “Captain Lewitz turns out to have an aptitude for duplicity—I think that is the word—that worries me. It must be that chess.” He wagged his head. “Be careful, Perena, that it does not get you into trouble.”

“We are all in trouble now.” Perena's face had acquired a wry expression. “If it is a gift, then I trust I may be careful how I use it. But the hour seems to require it. Oh, and Vero, I ought to warn you, it won't be comfortable. Space Affairs are ruthless in making their own people take the roughest seats. And in an inter-system liner, the crew seats are down just above the engines.”

Vero winced. “Vibration as well. But at least only for forty-eight hours.” Then he sighed, and Merral was suddenly aware of how tired his friend was and how much he was forcing himself into the giving of these orders. Vero turned to the sisters. “Oh, Perena and Anya, you ought to try and get in touch with the representatives and ask for a meeting in two days' time.”

Anya nodded. “Anwar Corradon is the current chair of the Farholme representatives; I vaguely know him. My perception is that he is an unusually intelligent and thoughtful man.”

Vero looked around. “That, then, is the proposed plan of action. Are all in agreement with it?”

Everyone looked at each other and nodded.

Vero looked around. “Fine. Then let me suggest the following. I think we all need at least some sleep.” He looked at Perena. “If you, Captain Lewitz, can get some of those damaged tiles cut off and packaged up. And check any satellite imagery when it comes in. Oh, and any chance of a new diary for me?”

“I can get you one,” Perena said.

“Thanks. Anya, if you could look at those DNA samples. Perhaps a preliminary analysis? And prepare some duplicates for Merral to take to Earth. And can I get copies of that Maya Knella data too?”

Anya nodded.

“And finally, I need to talk to Brenito. I have many questions and some he may be able to answer.”

“What about me?” Merral asked.

“And you?” Vero smiled. “You rest that ankle. But I wouldn't be surprised if Brenito might want to see you.”

“When do we meet again?” Perena asked.

“Here? Ten-thirty tonight? To give us all the maximum time to do what we have to do.”

As they left the room and began to walk up the corridor to the exit, Merral overheard Perena outline the journey to Vero, and suddenly he felt that he was in a dream. “You will be at Bannermene tomorrow noon. From there, you are booked on from Bannermene Inward Gate to Namidahl a couple of hours later. Namidahl is, of course, on the outer ring and you go one Gate clockwise to the Finent Node. From Finent there's a lot of traffic and depending exactly when you arrive, you should be at one of the Terran Gates with no more than two Gate jumps. Stress the urgent-priority status. So, all being well, in just over forty-eight hours traveling, you will be on Ancient Earth.”