Free The Dark Imbalance by Sean Williams, Shane Dix
Authors: Sean Williams, Shane Dix
become the focus of so much concern—you can’t even tell us why you came here without resorting to vague explanations involving this mysterious AI of yours! And as to that, well, I hardly need to state how the council feels. If it existed at all, its tenuous connections to the High Humans might have been exploitable, but as it stands—”
“I’m telling you the truth ,” she broke in angrily.
“Are you?” Murnane moved closer again, his own anger evident in his face. “There is much to suggest that what you are doing is far from innocent. Ameidio Haid is a convicted criminal who, as the Commerce Artel points out, has not served his full term; who is to say you don’t have criminal intent in mind as well? Add to that the fact that both your young friend here and the pilot of your vessel are the subjects of biological experiments; if Adoni Cane’s genetic data and physiognomy turn out to be peculiar, could he not also be an experimental subject, and not the enemy you claim he is?
“Then there are the credibility gaps in your story. How did you come to the conclusion that Adoni Cane was one of the enemy? How did you survive Palasian System when even the Kesh destroyer sent to monitor the situation did not? Why did you come here? And why has your arrival caused such a furor among all those who have known you: the COE, the Dato Bloc, the Commerce Artel, the Surin, the Kesh, the Olmahoi... ?
“Even if what you are telling us is the truth, and Adoni Cane is one of the enemy, then how can we trust someone who openly admits to having one aboard her ship—as part of her crew ?”
Murnane shook his head. “It may seem like we pre-judged you, but we have done nothing of the sort. We simply considered all possible conclusions prior to your arrival and allowed you to show us the one that best fitted the circumstances. Because you seem not to be dealing honestly with us, we are forced to conclude that Adoni Cane is a fake, or a misdiagnosis, or an enemy plant. We are unsure of your motives, but we are sure that we will no longer allow our precious time to be wasted examining your spurious claims and false offers. We have work to do, Roche, and a distraction such as this, even if not maliciously intended, does the enemy’s work for them.”
Tight-lipped, Roche forced herself to speak calmly. “If I could just say—”
“There is nothing more to be said,” Murnane cut in. “Hue Vischilglin will escort you and your companion to your vessel. Once you’re on board, the protection offered by the Phlegethon will be withdrawn.”
Vischilglin appeared, expressionless, at Roche’s side as Murnane turned his back and moved away without another word. The Heresiarch made no move at all. Roche let herself be taken by the arm and led away, furious but impotent, as a growing murmur filled the fane.
3
SHCVPhlegethon
955.1.30
0900
Roche muttered to the Box as Vischilglin directed her through the council and back into the petal from which they had first emerged. <‘Talk to them,’ you said. ‘Exactly what we need,’ you said. Whatever happened to getting access to their resources and getting on with the job?>
the Box responded smoothly.
Feeling humiliated and frustrated, Roche avoided the eyes of everyone around her as she walked by. They thought she was a fool—or, worse, some sort of collaborator.
the Box intoned casually.
She stopped midsentence as its admission sank in.
“I’m telling you the truth ,” she broke in angrily.
“Are you?” Murnane moved closer again, his own anger evident in his face. “There is much to suggest that what you are doing is far from innocent. Ameidio Haid is a convicted criminal who, as the Commerce Artel points out, has not served his full term; who is to say you don’t have criminal intent in mind as well? Add to that the fact that both your young friend here and the pilot of your vessel are the subjects of biological experiments; if Adoni Cane’s genetic data and physiognomy turn out to be peculiar, could he not also be an experimental subject, and not the enemy you claim he is?
“Then there are the credibility gaps in your story. How did you come to the conclusion that Adoni Cane was one of the enemy? How did you survive Palasian System when even the Kesh destroyer sent to monitor the situation did not? Why did you come here? And why has your arrival caused such a furor among all those who have known you: the COE, the Dato Bloc, the Commerce Artel, the Surin, the Kesh, the Olmahoi... ?
“Even if what you are telling us is the truth, and Adoni Cane is one of the enemy, then how can we trust someone who openly admits to having one aboard her ship—as part of her crew ?”
Murnane shook his head. “It may seem like we pre-judged you, but we have done nothing of the sort. We simply considered all possible conclusions prior to your arrival and allowed you to show us the one that best fitted the circumstances. Because you seem not to be dealing honestly with us, we are forced to conclude that Adoni Cane is a fake, or a misdiagnosis, or an enemy plant. We are unsure of your motives, but we are sure that we will no longer allow our precious time to be wasted examining your spurious claims and false offers. We have work to do, Roche, and a distraction such as this, even if not maliciously intended, does the enemy’s work for them.”
Tight-lipped, Roche forced herself to speak calmly. “If I could just say—”
“There is nothing more to be said,” Murnane cut in. “Hue Vischilglin will escort you and your companion to your vessel. Once you’re on board, the protection offered by the Phlegethon will be withdrawn.”
Vischilglin appeared, expressionless, at Roche’s side as Murnane turned his back and moved away without another word. The Heresiarch made no move at all. Roche let herself be taken by the arm and led away, furious but impotent, as a growing murmur filled the fane.
3
SHCVPhlegethon
955.1.30
0900
She stopped midsentence as its admission sank in.
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