The Gabble and Other Stories
tends to wither under AI governance.’

    Garp made a rough hacking sound. It took a moment for Salind to realize it was a laugh.
    Garp glanced sidewise at him. ‘I do not possess your faith in AI governance. Either the vote will be fixed to keep us out of the Polity or if we go in Soper will refocus her business interests. She’s wealthy enough now to play the upright citizen.’

    ‘Wouldn’t you say that what such people do is more about power than wealth?’

    As they reached the gateway to the park, Garp did not immediately reply. They walked out onto the pavement alongside a street crammed with hydrocars. The air was humid with their exhausts.

    ‘Maybe, but Soper is not stupid enough to go up against the Polity. She’ll be a good citizen and her past will be dumped just as absolutely as mine. The amnesty will see to that.
    Soper is sitting back in a no-lose position. If the Tronad prevents the Polity takeover they’re okay.
    If they don’t, they get amnesty; the slate wiped clean, a new beginning.’

    ‘I can see how that would upset you.’

    ‘Masterly understatement.’

    ‘Perhaps we should begin at the beginning.’ Salind pointed to a roadside cafe. ‘Present your case to me and through me to the citizens of the Polity.’

    Garp stopped at a crossing and before stepping out said, ‘We’ll need a private booth. My presence tends to put people off their lunch.’

    * * * *
    Two five-metre-tall nacreous bull’s horns framed a shimmering meniscus eight metres across.
    The shimmer broke, and somersaulting through it onto the black glass dais came a young man clad in a white slicksuit. His hair was blue, face painted.

    ‘Well, I’m sure we could call it something like: “He fought what he has become -
    corruption”.’ said Salind.

    Geoff, the staffer from the Tarjen offices, nodded, then made adjustments on the fullsense recorder he was holding - a device that could record with greater clarity than the hardware inside Salind’s skull. A tall woman with an external aug almost covering her head gave them both a dirty look from amid the crowd of reporters.

    ‘A rather flip way of treating his story. Garp was and is a good man,’ said Geoff.

    Salind studied him for a moment. Tarjen employed its staffers from the local population.
    It might be worth doing a few interviews.

    ‘I’m sure that’s true,’ said Salind. ‘But, though a good story, it’s a footnote to the main event. This.’ Salind gestured to the runcible portal as two Golem androids, without artificial skin, stepped through and aside as guards. He wondered what that was about. Their metal skeletons were grey, almost corroded in appearance - a highly unusual occurrence.

    ‘If this is what you’re here for, then shaddup and watch,’ said the woman.

    ‘Get your bloody great metal head out of the way, Merril,’ said the man behind her.

    ‘Is it my problem you’re a short-arse?’ she snapped back.

    ‘It’s certainly my problem that your pea-brain needs such a large augmentation.’

    The bickering continued as next through the portal came four Earth monitors in full battledress. They were armoured and carried gas-system pulse assault rifles. They moved out on either side to stand by the Golem androids.

    ‘Bit OTT,’ said the man trying to see past Merril’s aug-shrouded head.

    ‘All show,’ said Merril. ‘The effective forces are already here.’

    ‘You what?’ said the man.

    ‘She means,’ said Salind, ‘that Geronamid’s agents have probably been arriving here and establishing themselves over the last few months if not years.’

    Geoff gave him a look then returned his attention to his recorder.

    ‘I don’t need some kidrep from that Tarjen rag to explain my words,’ said Merril, without looking round. Salind ignored her and nodded to the waiting crowd of dignitaries.

    ‘Probably knows every one of their dirty little secrets . . . Bloody hell, that’s a bit extravagant even for

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