Mirror Space - Marianne de Pierres [86]
Tekton continued. ‘From what my moud has been able to divine, Miranda has created something that will affect the competitive instinct in humanesques - thus the reason for targeting the orbitofrontal cortex. Scolar is obviously her blind trial - is that the term they use? Now this is where you come in, Thales. Why would she choose Scolar?’
It was a question Thales had spent hours puzzling over, even without knowing what the DNA was intended to achieve. But Tekton’s précis was an illumination. Suddenly, he had an idea. ‘How do you regard Scolar, Godhead? Its function, I mean.’
Tekton gave a small frown. ‘Publicly, it is regarded as a source of progressive ideas and beliefs.’
‘Would you agree that it has influenced OLOSS decisions over the years?’
‘Indeed,’ Tekton allowed. ‘Think of the Beluga charter, and Villon’s philosophies. Even at Tandao Ando, we were required to understand the importance of Scolar’s role in the evolution of our social and political systems.’
Thales took a deep, deep breath. ‘I think that Dieter Seeward’s virus is meant to nullify the genius of Scolar.’
‘What?’ Tekton looked momentarily confused.
Thales told him about his time with Villon and the great philosopher’s fears. He followed that with a recount of his conversation with the Pragmatists in the Kafe Klatsch and the Sophos’s intention to raze Villon’s statue. ‘There is a malaise and enervation sweeping the city - and it is real, Godhead. I had not thought that it could be caused by something as sinister as a virus deliberately spread.’
‘What you’ve told me is preposterous, Thales. Unbelievable. And yet to think that you have spent time with the great Villon. You are a surprise package.’
‘Villon was a gentleman in every possible sense of the word,’ said Thales sadly. ‘And I was too ineffectual to protect him.’ To his chagrin, he felt tears welling.
But Tekton did not appear to notice. His eyes closed in contemplation but then opened again, abruptly. ‘Miranda must be doing this for the Entity,’ he muttered aloud.
‘Doing what for the Entity, tyro?’ said a commanding voice from the doorway.
Samuelle entered the room flanked by Fariss and a male humanesque dressed in battered leather pants and a filthy yellow skivvy. The man’s face was old, like Samuelle’s. They could have been siblings, if the man’s body had been through the same processes and encased in a suit. As it was, his brawny shoulders slumped above a large and continuous belly that ballooned from below his rib cage and hung well below his hips.
‘Mr Hob,’ said Tekton as the old man came close to him.
Thales was astonished to hear the warmth in Tekton’s voice.
‘Tekton, meet Sammy. Or Sam-u-elle if you like,’ said Jelly Hob. ‘And the beeoootiful Fariss.’
Fariss gave a wide, encompassing smile that sent Thales’s heart thumping madly, but Samuelle’s face was a study in scrutiny. ‘Don’t meet many archiTects. ‘Specially those that work for God.’
‘Mr Hob speaks highly of you,’ said Tekton politely enough, though Thales heard his tone cool somewhat.
‘Looks like we’ve all got something in common,’ said Samuelle. ‘And we don’t have much time to learn about it. Lasper’s gone and called the decommed captains to Edo for a meeting. Seems as though we’re goin’ somewhere soon.’
‘But he told me he wished to avoid involvement at this stage,’ said Tekton. “Balance” is what he said.’
‘Balance doesn’t mean peace, tyro. Balance means Lasper Farr getting what he wants.’
‘Are you implying that the hero of the Stain Wars is an opportunist? I’m astonished,’ said Tekton, with thick sarcasm.
Samuelle laughed. ‘I might get to like you, Tekton. But right now, I need you. Farr’s got some type of device he’s using as a soothsayer. I want to know about it.’
‘Why would I be able to help you?’
‘Because the technology came from another tyro. A strange fellow with insect eyes. I met him once, a while back.’
Tekton’s face turned so pale that Thales thought he might faint.
‘Cousin Ra,’ the Godhead gasped. ‘What have you been up to?’
MIRA
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