🚀 go-pugleaf

(continued from part 1)

     Sen peered out at Leiphali through twin slits.  Leiphali had not
moved for over four hours.  He sat in a classic lotus position, looking
more like a part of the desert than a human being.  Leiphali had
recovered his strength fairly quickly.  Sen had advised him to wait
another day before returning to the sun, but Leiphali would not be
deterred.
     Another hour passed.  Still Sen watched.  Still Leiphali had not
moved so much as a fraction of an inch.  His breathing was so shallow
that he appeared not to breath at all.
     Time continued to pass, and Sen had reached the point of losing
track. It was then that he saw something that he was not sure was real
or illusory. For the briefest of moments, Leiphali's shadows seemed to
flicker out of existence.  Shortly thereafter, Leiphali stirred,
drawing in a great, sucking breath.
     He stood slowly, stretching, and wandered back into the shelter of
the cave.  Wordlessly, Sen handed Leiphali a blanket and a small glass
of water. Leiphali wrapped himself in the blanket, drank the water
slowly and laid down on one of the cots.  It was perhaps five minutes
before he spoke.
     "I was so close."
     "I know.  Your shadows disappeared for a moment."
     "I have a nagging question I should like to ask you Sen."
     "Ask away."
     "How is that you know so much about the Ohm, and how to find it?"
     "I had wondered when you might ask that.  This is a task that has
been charged to my family for three generations.  My grandfather was
charged by my great aunt to keep watch for those who seek the Ohm.  I
am the last of my line to bear this task, so it is mete that you are
here.  I have waited over thirty years for your coming."
     "There has to be more to it than that?"
     "Indeed there is.  How familiar are you with the uncollected works
of Rialto Sun-Tei?"
     "I've read portions of them.  Why?"
     "Conjunctions, mostly, I suppose?"
     "Yes."
     "Did you read any of Evolutions?"
     "No, why."
     "It is quite probably her most controversial piece.  I doubt even
your Tami has read it from cover to cover.  It outlines her visions for
the ultimate future of our society.  She was so far ahead of her time,
it was amazing.  Here, I want you to read a passage."
     Leiphali let out a small gasp as Sen showed him the volume.  It
was a hand made book, leather covered with gold corners.  The contents
were even more amazing.  It contained nearly seven hundred pages of
Rialto Sun-Tei's precise hand writing.
     "Is this what I think it is?"
     "Yes.  It's the original.  It was given to my grandfather by my
great aunt."
     "Rialto Sun-Tei was your great aunt?"
     "Yes, she was.  Does it become clearer to you now?"
     "Yes."
     Sen handed Leiphali the book, open to the first page.  "Start at
the top."

     "To the seeker of the Ohm, the goal may seem elusive.  Experience
     has taught me this.  If you are reading this, you will have
     reached the same place I reached, where I first discovered the
     Ohm.  My fleeting taste of Ohm revealed the power of absolute
     balance to me.

     When you have opened your mind to the Ohm and successfully
     mastered it, you will understand its importance and why it is my
     goal for this society.  You will also understand the Ohm's
     dichotomy.

     Attaining the Ohm on a personal level will seem but a trivial
     thing to teaching it to Rialto as a whole.  The ruling Chi'velts
     will oppose it and hinder your efforts.  The preaching of Ohm will
     directly undermine their authority.  With Chi'pi and Ko'pi
     perfectly balanced, there will be no need for Chi'velts.

     Who ever you are, take with you my blessing and sympathies.  You
     are the tool by which my ultimate desire will be accomplished, but
     those who will one day worship you will vilify first."

     "You'll need to read the rest at some point in the near future.
When I first read the introduction, I harbored a brief conceit that I
was the one it was written for, but my father quickly showed me the
error of it.  You are the one it was written for, of that I have no
doubt.  You are the one she saw in her vision here, Leiphali
to'Rialto."
     "To'Rialto?  What manner of title is that?"
     "It is one that has never been heard or spoken since before this
book was written by Rialto herself.  It means bringer of balance to
Rialto.  This goes with that title, when you have mastered it."
     Leiphali looked down at the small bundle of cloth Sen had put in
his hands.  It was a brilliant blue sash.

                             >>>***-***<<<

     Jamison Stewart was still in his office aboard the UCP Johnny
Mnemonic.  The paperwork which he been working on remained untouched on
his desk since his father's visit and departure.  In the hour or so
that had passed Jamie Stewart, formerly Jason Stuart, had stared at the
wall and not moved.  Jamie had thought his feelings towards his father
were clear to him, but more he thought about it, the less he was sure.
A knock on the hatch, much like the one that ushered in his father,
interrupted Jamie's introspection.
     "Jamie?"
     "Yes Rachel?"
     "You have another visitor."
     "Who is it this time?"
     "Your sister."
     "Christ.  Will you get rid of him for me?"
     "Nope."
     "All right.  Show her in."
     Jamie put his feet down, and sat back to wait for his sister.
Sister, he thought.  A strange idea, in a way.  He had always known
about her, but when he last saw Elizabeth she was five.  That was
seventeen years ago.  Rachel showed her in, and left.
     Jamie looked at her as she sat.  Her face was much the same as he
remembered, but he could now also see his mother in the brown hair and
eyes.
     "Hello Jason."
     "Hello Elizabeth."
     There was an unmistakable awkwardness in the initial exchange of
greetings.  "Do we have to be so formal?"  Elizabeth asked.
     "Oh, I suppose not.  We could change into our play clothes and
smear jam on each other's faces.  You used to enjoy that when you were
little."
     Jamie and Elizabeth both laughed a bit, and the tension eased.
"So what did you want to talk about?"
     "Our father, among other things"
     "He was here about an hour ago."
     "Did he tell you about mother."
     "Yes."
     "What do you think?"
     "I don't know Liz.  I don't know what to think.  Seventeen years
ago, Clan MacLeod went to a great deal of trouble to spring Karleen and
I out of Megacorp.  It was hard for me to turn my back you and Mom and
Dad, but I had to.  I'd come to a sort of peace with myself over it.
Now, I don't know.  Father certainly seems to have developed a spine
somewhere along the line.  I never thought the man I knew as father
would stand up to those ghouls at Megacorp.
     "I always wondered why he turned you over to them.  After I
`died', it hardly made sense.  I don't know why I didn't consider
blackmail.  It certainly fits Megacorp.  They'll do anything to get
what they want."
     "So are you saying that we should do what he wants?"  There was
anger in Elizabeth's voice.
     "I don't know.  They're a lot of wounds to heal, for everyone.
You, me and him."
     Elizabeth looked at her brother, surprised.  "How can you say he
has wounds to heal.  He's the one who's done all the hurting."
     "Don't be so sure about that Liz.  Anne Stuart was our mother, but
she was his wife.  You can have no idea how much this ordeal has cost
him.  He's been living with it for over thirty years.  How can you know
what it's cost him."
     "I don't need to know what it cost him.  I care what it cost him.
How can it compare to what happened to me!"  Elizabeth half yelled at
her brother.
     "Do you forget so soon?  Karleen and I went through what you did.
We came first.  We had the neuro-chem.  We had the physical and mental
breakdown routines.  We had the gene splicing.  We went through the
same things you did.  In some ways, it may have been easier for you.
Karleen and I had to live through their mistakes."  Jamie's calm
reserve was in stark contrast to his sister's anger.
     "How can you be so calm?"  She asked in exasperation.
     "I've had seventeen years to deal with what you're going through
right now.  I don't know what Megacorp has in mind for you next, but
your run with them may be finished soon if you're here."
     "I wouldn't be so sure about that.  They used me to kill Smythe.
More might be coming if father hadn't given me his activation
signaller."
     "If he did that, then he is serious."
     "What do you mean?"
     "Insubordination is the quickest way to get destroyed in Megacorp.
He's ensured that whatever he had left of his career is gone if they
find out.  He really is making a stand."
     "What should we do?"
     "The only thing we can.  We back his play, and worry about sorting
out our family problems later."
     "I have an idea, then."

                             >>>***-***<<<

     Mancoti stood outside Tami's office, waiting patiently for his
request for entry to be acknowledged.  He had been surprised by the
urgent message from Ambassador Stuart requesting an emergency meeting
at the UCP embassy this evening.  All of his intelligence suggested
that there was nothing out of the ordinary happening.  Mancoti left off
his musings when he received permission to enter.
     "Chi'velt subi."
     "Ko'velt, what matter do you have that you need to interrupt my
afternoon?"  There was a hint of irritation in Tami's voice.
     "Apologies, Chi'velt, but we received an urgent request from
Ambassador Stuart.  He requests an emergency meeting with you this
evening at the UCP embassy."
     "Who received the message?"
     "I did, Chi'velt.  From the Ambassador's daughter."
     Tami's eyes narrowed, and his brow furrowed slightly.  "Have there
been any indications of abnormal activity?"
     "None that have reported to me Chi'velt.  I checked with all my
primary contacts before disturbing you."
     "Hm.  Very well, then.  Send a positive replay.  I am very
interested to find out what this `emergency' is."
     "Chi'velt subi."  Mancoti bowed and left.

                             >>>***-***<<<

     Eduard Tombolo, Michael Edgerson and Aber Fitch were all lounging
about Eduard's study aboard the Kessel, enjoying a fine bottle of
single malt scotch that Rory MacLeod had given to them before they left
Earth.  The talk, however, was in earnest.  It concerned Elizabeth
Stuart's neuro-chemical programming.
     "You're sure Michael?"
     "Yes."  Replied Edgerson as Fitch nodded in agreement.  "We almost
missed it.  We'd been through the code light eight times already.  Good
thing we decided on just *one* more pass."
     Fitch picked up the narrative.  "It's not like we didn't have the
time though, but that shade was a bitch.  The color hue was off by less
than a thousandth of a percent in it's green content, and was damn
short in duration.  Once we found it though, the sub program was easy
to decipher."
     "So what exactly did our favorite ladies have in mind?"
     "Not both,"  said Michael.  "Only Carmen.  She even programmed
Tamlin in as a target.  Up until now, only Carmen had a valid shutdown
code, and a valid signaller to enter the code.  We have the shutdown
code, and have the tech boys working on modifying a signaller to work
on the proper frequency."
     "So just what was Elizabeth programmed to do."
     "Just about anything Carmen wanted, including killing all of the
rest of the board, all of their relatives, and nearly all of the high
level employees below the board.  The list of potential targets is
huge.  I don't know how she managed to cram it all in."
     "Unbelievable."
     "Just."
     The bottle was making it's way around the room for round three
when an aide barged in, knocking the bottle from Aber's hand.  The
bottle fell and shattered, spilling fifty year old single-malt scotch
all over the floor.  The aide suddenly found himself under the
withering stares of three very angry scotch drinkers.
     "I trust you have a *good* reason for what just happened?"  asked
Eduard.
     The aide handed Eduard a note with a trembling hand.  Eduard took
it and read, his face relaxing slightly.
     "Send an affirmative reply."  The aide fled.
     "That was a coded message from the UCP embassy.  Ambassador Stuart
wants an emergency meeting in a little over an hour.  Will that
signaller be ready?"
     "Yes."  Said Fitch.
     "Good.  I want it and the deactivation code before I leave."

                             >>>***-***<<<

     Henry Stuart sat relaxing in the arms of his Chi'velt, Coda
su'Miniki.  Their relationship so far had been growing deeper and
deeper.  It would soon be hard, he thought, to conceal it from the rest
of the world.  Soon enough Rialto, and more importantly, Megacorp,
would know about his bond.
     "Don't worry about that Henry.  We'll deal with that when it
becomes time."
     "Were you reading my mind, Chi'velt?"
     "No, but I seemed to know what you were thinking.  That small
conundrum has also occupied my mind as of late.  I think, however, that
the issue shall soon become moot.  Eduard Tombolo's arrival is a sure
signal that one way or the other, the Megacorp/UCP/Rialto problem will
be resolved with alacrity."
     "I wish I had your faith, Chi'velt."
     "You do Henry.  My faith is your law."
     Henry meant to reply, but held his tongue when he saw Coda scowl.
Coda subvocaled something Henry could make out, and a few moments later
Inok su'Coda entered the room.
     "Ko'velt, I expressly told I DID NOT wish to be disturbed this
evening."
     "A thousand apologies, Chi'velt, but this matter could not wait.
I received word from the Ambassador's office that Eduard Tombolo
urgently wishes to meet with the Ambassador in an hour at the
Ambassador's residence."
     "Very well.  Dismissed."
     "Chi'velt Subi."  Inok left the room with all due haste.
     "What do you think it could Henry?"
     "I do not know Chi'velt, but with your permission?"
     "Certainly.  Take my strength with you, and contact me when you
can."
     "Chi'velt subi."

                             >>>***-***<<<

     The messenger handed the letter to Tamlin Edo, and left as soon as
she signed for it.  He had no idea what the letter contained, but Tom
at dispatch had told him not to stick around for her to read it.  Tom
had never steered him wrong before.
     Tamlin Edo opened the sealed Megacorp document, and scanned it.
It took perhaps five seconds for her face to mottle and her expression
become one of outright rage.  She crumpled the paper, flung it across
the room and unleashed a gout of invective.
     "Come now, Ms. Edo, surely it can't be all that bad, can it?"
     The voice was smooth and melodious, and she recognized it
immediately.  She whirled to face Geld, still livid.
     "How did you get in here?"  She asked from between clenched teeth.
     "How I got here is of little consequence.  I came to discuss a
matter of mutual benefit to us both."
     "I fail to see how killing Halworth Kreig is of mutual benefit."
     "How do you know it was me?"
     "Who else could it have been Geld?"
     "Almost anyone."
     "True, but had it been, you wouldn't be here."
     "Ah, now there's the catch."  Geld's pleasure in her answer
startled Tamlin.  Her anger was quickly replaced by curiosity and
something akin to fear.
     "What do you mean?"
     "I mean that there may be hope for you yet, my dear.  If you'd
only outgrow your childish need to have tantrums when things don't go
your way, you would be much better off."
     Tamlin let the slap go.  "I'm still the glaring suspect in Kreig's
death.  I was the one he was auditing, not you."
     "True enough, but Kreig was also getting too close to the truth.
The truth that Carmen Elarosa had left for him to find, if he could."
     "What?"  Asked Tamlin, shocked.
     "You heard me.  Carmen Elarosa has been pulling your strings so
deftly that you never even noticed.  She's already poisoned Eduard.
With you out of the way, there will be no one left to stand in her way.
Edgerson and Pindar are good, but they lack the ruthlessness and hunger
shared by you three."
     "I don't believe you.  Carmen's my best friend."  The protest was
formal, but lacked conviction.
     "You will, my dear, you will.  I'll prove it to you, and when
we're done, I'll have Rialto and you'll have Megacorp."

                             >>>***-***<<<

     Henry Stuart looked into the conference room, and saw to his
dismay that Eduard Tombolo was already there, and much to his surprise,
Tami su'Rialto.  A woman he did not recognize was standing off to the
side.  Mancoti su'Tami was also there, parked to the rear and left of
his Chi'velt. They were sitting at opposite ends of the table, talking
too low for him to hear.  Unable to avoid the inevitable, he opened the
door and walked in.  The two stop talking, and turned to look at him.
     "Ah, Ambassador Stuart.  So kind of you to join us."  Said Eduard.
"Perhaps you'll explain what emergency you have that led you to summon
us both."
     Henry looked at Eduard, perplexed.  "I summoned you?  I received a
message that you wanted to see me about an urgent matter."
     "You did?  How intriguing.  Someone has certainly summoned here."
     "I did."  Supplied a female voice as the side door to Ambassador
Stuart's office opened.  Elizabeth Stuart walked in, flanked by her
brother. Elizabeth's father was the only one who even looked remotely
surprised.
     A brief look of irritation crossed Tombolo's face.  "Just what do
you mean by arranging this little menage?"
     "Oh please, Eduard,"  interjected Tami.  "At least give her a
chance to explain herself."  Tami sounded amused.
     "What I mean, Ed, is that we all have some problems that need
solving.  We're going to stay here until we work out those problems."
Said Elizabeth, hints of disrespect in her voice.
     "I refuse to be a part of this nonsense."  Eduard was openly angry
now, standing.
     "Please sit down chairman, and keep you hands on the table where
we can see them."  Said Jamie.  His right hand still hung at his side,
but it glowed briefly, bright enough for everyone to see.
     "Are you threatening me?"  Eduard was incredulous.
     "Yes."
     "He's bluffing."  Said Karleen.
     "Hello Karleen."  Jamie shot a brief look towards his former
partner.
     "Hello Jason."  Karleen returned the look.
     "Fine."  Said Eduard, as he sat down.  "Let's talk."  There was no
trace of his previous anger.  "Elizabeth, I'm prepared to release you
from your obligation to Megacorp in exchange for several unfertilized
ova."
     "So you can create more like me?  Subjugate more to the horrors of
neuro-chemical programming like me?  No."
     "I assure you that the current Exocet program will not continue in
it's current incarnation.  No one will be made to serve against their
will."
     "I don't believe you."
     Tami interrupted Elizabeth and Eduard by clearing his throat just
loud enough.  "I believe you're ignoring my problems, and your father's
as well."
     "No I'm not.  I represent my family in this matter, and I did not
come her just to banter with Eduard Tombolo."  Replied Elizabeth.  Tami
was impressed by her display of Chi'pi.
     "I believe, su'Rialto, that all other issues aside, your primary
wish is that Rialto remain an independent player and not be absorbed by
the UCP and Megacorp."
     "In essence, yes."
     "Any comments, Mr. Tombolo."
     "Yes.  We should have considered a different career for you in
Megacorp.  I admire your brutal directness."  Eduard turned to face
Tami.  "I certainly did not expect us to make any headway on our own
for quite some time.  Interesting how circumstances change.  If I agree
to get the UCP to give Rialto permanent status as an independent world
and maintain only a minimal Embassy here, what will you offer me in
return?"
     Tami leaned back in his chair and thought for a few moments.  "You
understand, of course, that any agreement I strike must be ratified by
the ruling council."
     "Yes."
     "Unfortunately, Rialto has little to offer.  The ore we mine is
the only thing of real value here.  How about the status as sole
distributor of our mined products.  It has the potential to be very
lucrative."
     "Buying your planet's freedom?"
     "Unless you have something else to suggest, Mr. Tombolo.  Money
seems to be your company's primary motivation."
     "I do in fact have in mind some other things that might suffice.
We can discuss it later."
     "You can discuss it now.  I told you we're not leaving here until
this is settled."
     Eduard Tombolo regarded Elizabeth Stuart the way one regards a
petulant child.  "Young lady, you have no grasp of the complexities
with which you are dealing.  Be content with the fact that you've
gotten people talking.  What is that you want out of this?"
     Elizabeth looked at her father for a moment, holding his eyes with
hers.  "I want Megacorp to leave my family alone.  You've used and
abused the Stuarts for far too long."
     "And what does Megacorp get?"  Elizabeth stared at her feet,
shifting. After a minute, Tami spoke.
     "His question is fair Elizabeth.  You have to answer it."
     "You can have your ova - after I have my baby."



WOW - ELIZABETH'S GOING TO HAVE A BABY!
WILL IT BE A BOY OR A GIRL?
WILL IT HAVE SUPER POWERS?

I don't know if Sabre's going to give you answers to these questions,
but he may answer these:

WILL THE MEGACORP AUDITORS BE ABLE TO RECONSTRUCT KREIG'S WORK?
WHAT ELSE DOES GELD HAVE UP HIS SLEEVE?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN BETWEEN TAMLIN EDO AND CARMEN ELAROSA?
WILL ELIZABETH'S GAMBIT SUCCEED?
WHAT COULD EDUARD WANT THAT RIALTO HAS?
WILL EDUARD PUNISH HIS AIDE FOR TRASHING A 50 YEAR OLD BOTTLE OF
QUALITY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH (I would)?

Find out in the next Rialto, courtesy of Eric, Lord Sabre, keeper of
warm fuzzy things and quality single malt scotch.