Sungate (part 4)
Mr Zoat
Dedicated ragequitter
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11th September 2012
09:15 GMT
Nyiath's face remains expressionless, and over a holographic link that actually works on me. He was assigned as my point of contact after Onik's unfortunate announcement… Well. That was when he made contact; I imagine that the wheels were set in motion the moment the former abbot was given enhanced abdication.
"A Controller who was once a Guardian is coming here."
"Once she's done with Lord Malvolio, yes, that was what I said."
"We haven't had a Guardian visit for quite some time."
"Oh, you don't need to do anything special. Controller Hinon is very low maintenance. Just say something stupid once a day so that she can get her condescension ration and she's as happy as she gets."
"I appreciate what you're trying to do, but please do not attempt humour in a situation like this. Karax is undergoing a period of social and religious upheaval such as it has not known for centuries. If we are to navigate this turbulence, we must avoid inadvertent misunderstandings."
"Alright. Hinon acts like a crotchety grandmother who is severely disappointed with her entire line, but is actually an ancient being far beyond petty concerns like… Like just about anything you could do. She has a great many demands on her time, so in the unlikely event that she wants something from you, just make it happen as quickly and efficiently as possible and then get out of the way."
"Will she want to address the populace?"
"I think it vanishingly unlikely. Do you want her to address the populace?"
"Would it help? What would she say?"
"Probably not, no idea. Honestly, I'm surprised that she's coming here rather than just summoning me to One Six Three Four or back to Maltus."
"I assume that she wants to look at-. Is it really a new Green Central Power Battery?"
"It looked like one; she's the expert."
"But what does that mean? What does any of…" He takes a moment to steady himself. "I apologise."
"Quite alright. I'd only be concerned if you weren't."
"Is there anything else that I need to know?"
"Have you had a chance to read my book yet?"
"Not yet. I've instructed some of my junior staff members to go through it."
"Do you want a summary of the parts relating to spectrum-?"
"No, I can't afford to be discombobulated at the moment. Those of us in positions of government authority must remain stoical for the good of all. We can have our private breakdowns later."
"Very well. I'll get in touch when she arrives. Illustres out."
I end the transmission, and turn back to Lantern Vode-M.
"When was the last time a Guardian visited Karax?"
"Shortly after the 'peace' treaty with the Spider Guild was agreed."
"About two hundred years?" She nods. "And I imagine that they had a heavy escort-."
Whoops. I didn't ask Hinon if she would have one.
"You didn't ask your Controller if she would bring one."
"I didn't. But it shouldn't matter. I doubt that she will, and even if she does, Lord Malvolio's fleet is right there."
"Shortly after the 'peace' treaty with the Spider Guild was agreed, three Guardians came here in person."
"Why? Why put in a personal appearance for something like that?"
"Because it was a hard-won draw and they wanted to put in a personal appearance, perhaps."
"Or they didn't think that the locals would accept it without their overt approval. I think that the Sector Lanterns or an Honour Guard Lantern would have done for a show of support."
"Are you insinuating that the Guardians betrayed us?"
"Quite the opposite. The Guardians might not have the best people skills, but they are better at understanding social dynamics than their disinterest would suggest. They didn't want mass rioting, so they openly spoke in favour of a resolution they probably weren't actually all that happy about."
"That-"
My ring blinks.
"-would-."
"Illustres."
"Yes, I know who you are." Hinon's face appears over my ring. "Come to Lord Malvolio's flagship at once."
"On my-" Her face disappears. "-way."
I smile at Lantern Vode-M.
"Looks like I'm getting called away. Do you want to join in, as much as your current rules of engagement will allow you? If nothing else, you can shuttle anyone my subordinates rescue away from the conflict zones. They can attack larger convoys together than you can on your own."
"Yes. I shall."
"Great. And when I get back, I'll run through everything Guy's told me about attaining enlightenment with you, see if you can work out how to make the transformation yourself. Excuse me."
I
step out, the glowing will beacon of Malvolio's Central Power Battery showing me where to aim by the way it drowns out local desire. I
return to the material universe just as Malvolio and Hinon exit his burning doorway.
"Sir, Lord Malvolio."
Hinon ignores me, flying past me to get a better look at the Green Central Power Battery-.
"Hinon, you're not planning on jumping ship yourself, are-?"
"Of course not." She stares at it, floating around it slowly as Malvolio's closeness causes it to glow brighter. "Minosyss." She waves her right hand and knowledge appears in my mind. Oh for goodness sake-.
"Its new rulers have expressed an interest in diplomatic contact, though I have no idea why. Since they come from Earth, I think it appropriate that you make the initial approach. You may want to return to your homeworld to gather a staff. I will remain here."
"By your command."
09:15 GMT
Nyiath's face remains expressionless, and over a holographic link that actually works on me. He was assigned as my point of contact after Onik's unfortunate announcement… Well. That was when he made contact; I imagine that the wheels were set in motion the moment the former abbot was given enhanced abdication.
"A Controller who was once a Guardian is coming here."
"Once she's done with Lord Malvolio, yes, that was what I said."
"We haven't had a Guardian visit for quite some time."
"Oh, you don't need to do anything special. Controller Hinon is very low maintenance. Just say something stupid once a day so that she can get her condescension ration and she's as happy as she gets."
"I appreciate what you're trying to do, but please do not attempt humour in a situation like this. Karax is undergoing a period of social and religious upheaval such as it has not known for centuries. If we are to navigate this turbulence, we must avoid inadvertent misunderstandings."
"Alright. Hinon acts like a crotchety grandmother who is severely disappointed with her entire line, but is actually an ancient being far beyond petty concerns like… Like just about anything you could do. She has a great many demands on her time, so in the unlikely event that she wants something from you, just make it happen as quickly and efficiently as possible and then get out of the way."
"Will she want to address the populace?"
"I think it vanishingly unlikely. Do you want her to address the populace?"
"Would it help? What would she say?"
"Probably not, no idea. Honestly, I'm surprised that she's coming here rather than just summoning me to One Six Three Four or back to Maltus."
"I assume that she wants to look at-. Is it really a new Green Central Power Battery?"
"It looked like one; she's the expert."
"But what does that mean? What does any of…" He takes a moment to steady himself. "I apologise."
"Quite alright. I'd only be concerned if you weren't."
"Is there anything else that I need to know?"
"Have you had a chance to read my book yet?"
"Not yet. I've instructed some of my junior staff members to go through it."
"Do you want a summary of the parts relating to spectrum-?"
"No, I can't afford to be discombobulated at the moment. Those of us in positions of government authority must remain stoical for the good of all. We can have our private breakdowns later."
"Very well. I'll get in touch when she arrives. Illustres out."
I end the transmission, and turn back to Lantern Vode-M.
"When was the last time a Guardian visited Karax?"
"Shortly after the 'peace' treaty with the Spider Guild was agreed."
"About two hundred years?" She nods. "And I imagine that they had a heavy escort-."
Whoops. I didn't ask Hinon if she would have one.
"You didn't ask your Controller if she would bring one."
"I didn't. But it shouldn't matter. I doubt that she will, and even if she does, Lord Malvolio's fleet is right there."
"Shortly after the 'peace' treaty with the Spider Guild was agreed, three Guardians came here in person."
"Why? Why put in a personal appearance for something like that?"
"Because it was a hard-won draw and they wanted to put in a personal appearance, perhaps."
"Or they didn't think that the locals would accept it without their overt approval. I think that the Sector Lanterns or an Honour Guard Lantern would have done for a show of support."
"Are you insinuating that the Guardians betrayed us?"
"Quite the opposite. The Guardians might not have the best people skills, but they are better at understanding social dynamics than their disinterest would suggest. They didn't want mass rioting, so they openly spoke in favour of a resolution they probably weren't actually all that happy about."
"That-"
My ring blinks.
"-would-."
"Illustres."
"Yes, I know who you are." Hinon's face appears over my ring. "Come to Lord Malvolio's flagship at once."
"On my-" Her face disappears. "-way."
I smile at Lantern Vode-M.
"Looks like I'm getting called away. Do you want to join in, as much as your current rules of engagement will allow you? If nothing else, you can shuttle anyone my subordinates rescue away from the conflict zones. They can attack larger convoys together than you can on your own."
"Yes. I shall."
"Great. And when I get back, I'll run through everything Guy's told me about attaining enlightenment with you, see if you can work out how to make the transformation yourself. Excuse me."
I
step out, the glowing will beacon of Malvolio's Central Power Battery showing me where to aim by the way it drowns out local desire. I
return to the material universe just as Malvolio and Hinon exit his burning doorway.
"Sir, Lord Malvolio."
Hinon ignores me, flying past me to get a better look at the Green Central Power Battery-.
"Hinon, you're not planning on jumping ship yourself, are-?"
"Of course not." She stares at it, floating around it slowly as Malvolio's closeness causes it to glow brighter. "Minosyss." She waves her right hand and knowledge appears in my mind. Oh for goodness sake-.
"Its new rulers have expressed an interest in diplomatic contact, though I have no idea why. Since they come from Earth, I think it appropriate that you make the initial approach. You may want to return to your homeworld to gather a staff. I will remain here."
"By your command."
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please…?