Ten Crescent Moons (Moonquest) (39 page)

The most
brilliant of the scholars gathered at Lady Sagawea's School of Minds then were delegated
the task of cracking the code. It was an arduous undertaking, but finally the
mission was accomplished. And the formula was revealed.

Kalos and
Sagawea then proudly told of how those same scholars had learned to convert the
volatile, chemically mixed powder used for amusement in aerial fireworks displays
into a substance capable of creating powerful explosions.

The energy
from these contained explosions, in turn, could hurtle canisters of many shapes
and sizes at great distances. And this would be the method of attack.

It was at
this point that Lady Swiala rose slowly to her feet and stepped onto the podium.

"Mr.
Parliamentarian, I  invoke my right to interrogate."

"Yes,
Lady Swiala. But remember your time is limited. And we are all eager to hear more
about this weapon."

Swiala's expression
was gravely serious as she addressed the delegates.

"In the
history classes of our many schools of the minds, we are taught one unifying truth
regarding the origin of our civilization. The Ancients divided themselves into
the Houses of the Nine Crescent Moons to ensure our survival. Individual rules
of conduct were established for each House. This was done to recognize the
diversity of the different clans. And to find a way to live together in peace
and mutual prosperity."

"I hear
no question in this interrogation," Captain Kalos answered quietly.

"Very
well then. Are we not violating the most sacred codes of the Crescent Houses by
creating a weapon capable of such widespread destruction?"

"Not at
all," Lady Sagawea replied soothingly. "This weapon will never be
used by those of the Crescent Houses against each other. By our own laws, any
offender would be immediately executed."

"And
what about the savages?" Lady Swiala asked. "What about
their
rights?"

It was
Captain Kalos who answered, and his words sent a chill through Adalginza's
heart.

"They
are not members of the Crescent Houses. They are not entitled to protection
under our laws. Nor were they ever acknowledged by the Ancients. And they do
not have the right to exist, unless they accept our terms of surrender."

Lady Swiala
was about to speak again, when the parliamentarian waved her into silence.

"Your
time is up. Please sit. Lady Sagawea, you may now complete your explanation.
What exactly is this weapon you speak of?"

Lady Sagawea
paused to peer around the gallery, as though to acknowledge each member of the
Prime Congress personally.

"It is
an acid so corrosive that it dissolves anything it contacts upon release from a
specially coated substance. After only a few moments of exposure to air or
water, it becomes neutralized and harmless."

Kalos then
spoke up. "We have developed a variety of delivery systems to maximize its
effectiveness. Allow us to demonstrate."

At a gesture
from Kalos, two Crescent knights pulled open the huge, double wooden doors that
slid sideways on giant rollers. This provided the delegates inside with an
expansive view of the outside world.

A walgoat
with a long, stringy beard could be seen tethered in the open expanse of green,
cultivated lawn. In the far distance, a small contingent of robed scholars rolled
into place a contraption on wheels that resembled a giant, metallic ant.

The blissfully
ignorant animal grazed peacefully.

Kalos raised
his Crescent sword high above his head. And at the dropping of the sword, a
distant thunder could be heard — the same thunder that had so disturbed
Adalginza on her trip to the Dome of Archives.

Flame from
the device's long snout spewed forth a rounded globule that grew larger at such
an accelerated speed it caused the orators and delegates within the gallery to
run, screaming, for cover.

The globule
then burst into tiny pellets that rained down on the animal.

Adalginza stayed
frozen in her own chair.

She could
not deflect the mindspeak from the walgoat, as it was covered with the
droplets. Death was too slow. And while it screamed in agony, Adalginza felt its
demise as though her own flesh was being eaten.

She placed
both hands to the sides of her head as she felt the deep, scorching burns. Over
and over again, she shrieked the goat's distress.

In its final
release, all that was left of the animal was a smoking, charred mass of gore
and bone.

Because of
the commotion caused by the weapon, Adalginza's screams had gone unnoticed.

Those who
had fled began creeping out of hiding places to crowd onto the balcony for a
closer view of the desecrated, smoking body below them.

Adalginza
remained seated as she stared unbelievingly at Kalos. He looked back at her.
And, for the moment, it was as though they were the only two people in the
room.

"Look
away!" It was Lady Swiala who broke the spell as she slid into the empty
space beside Adalginza. "That man is not worthy of your attention."

Finally,
still chattering, the occupants of the Great Hall began to make their way back to
their seats. Even Lady Sagawea had run for cover. She now smoothed her clothing
as she rejoined Kalos where he was standing at the podium.

When all were
settled again, Kalos spoke once more.

"We
have twenty-seven of these weapons, built atop mobile platforms with wheels. In
this way, they can easily be moved to lay siege."

Alarmingly
enough, the murmurs in the room that greeted his announcement now sounded like
approval.

"You
see the advantages," Kalos continued. "Our casualties will be greatly
reduced because our knights will not be forced to engage in combat at close
range. Nor will we need experienced troops to have an advantage. The savages
can no longer hide from us, because this weapon will penetrate stone. It will
penetrate earth. It can be hidden within the villages and triggered to explode.
Our enemy has no chance against us. They will surrender or they will die."

"The frontier
is now ours!"

Someone
shouted the declaration from the back of the room. Others took up the cry, and
excitement swelled along with the excited voices.

Adalginza
glanced around angrily, and waited for the clamor to die down.

Then she
stood slowly to pose a question.

"What
will become of those who surrender?"

"Out of
order!" The parliamentarian shouted. "This woman is not a
delegate."

"Then I
yield to my granddaughter," Lady Swiala declared.

Lady Sagawea
leaned forward to answer. "They will be treated humanely."

"As
animals are treated?" Adalginza asked. "Like this animal you just
destroyed without purpose?"

"They
will receive far better treatment from us than we ever received at their hands."

"And
what if they do not surrender?" Adalginza gave her rival a scathing look.
"And what if they find a way to escape your new weapons? Even worse, what
if they ac quire this weapon for themselves?"

"Impossible."

"You
are aware, are you not, that Benfaaro has spies on the Prime Continent? I warn
you, Lady Sagawea. The release of this weapon eventually will cause widespread
devastation on both sides of this conflict."

It was a
bold statement, but Adalginza was certain of her words.

And it gave
her morbid satisfaction to see the consternation on the faces of the delegates
of the Prime Congress who, until now, had been so certain of their own security
in their protected homeland.

Sagawea's
irritation was now visible. "We have a backup plan."

"This
is not the time or place," Kalos warned in a low voice.

He took her
arm as though to silence her, but Sagawea pulled away from him.

"We
have another weapon, if all else fails," she said. "It is one that
was tried before, except that the savages developed immunity."

"Immunity?
You mean you have created a new plague?" Adalginza shifted her gaze to
Kalos. "Getting rid of the savages is what the Eradicators wanted all
along, even when the tribes were peaceful. And it was the Eradicators who
provided the financing for your School of Minds."

"It is
a fine school," Sagawea replied defensively.

"It is
not a place of education. It is a place of war. And violence."

Kalos then
spoke up. "The plague will be used only as a last resort."

"Really?"
Adalginza locked eyes with him. "And who decides? You? You say the plague
is more potent this time. How do you know that it will not eliminate all of
humanity, including those of the Crescent Houses?"

At the whisperings
of fear in response to those words, Sagawea confidently addressed the delegates.

"It is
harmless to our people. Deadly for the savages."

"You
cannot know this for sure, because you are not one of the gods." Adalginza
then turned her gaze back to Kalos. "So you approve of adopting the old
ways of Captain Heinste the Cruel?"

Kalos met
her look without wavering.

"The
issue no longer is one of conquest. It is clearly one of defense."

The debate
continued among the delegates, who eventually decided that they would enact a
plan for impounding the savages under heavy guard.

The
villagers who cooperated would not be eradicated, as some among the crowd
wanted. But they would be watched. Closely.

Teachers
would be assigned for the children. Behaviors would be assessed. And modified.
In a few generations, all problems should disappear.

The
delegates then agreed unanimously through vote that introduction of the plague
would be, indeed, a last resort.

Then Lady
Swiala stood. "What of property rights for the savages?"

It was Lady
Sagawea who answered.

"The
independence that accompanies the idea of property ownership is impossible.
Left unsupervised, the savages would merely go back to their murderous ways.
They have earned no rights under Crescent House rule, and they must be kept
confined."

Adalginza
felt rage throbbing in her temples. "Earned? What do you mean by earned?"

"They
can have their freedom when they learn to behave in a civilized manner."

"As
Crescent House citizens behave?" Adalginza asked sarcastically.

"Well...yes."

"I have
heard enough."

Adalginza
turned on her heel and stalked from the debating hall. She had barely made it
outside, into the lobby, when she encountered Kalos.

He had
hurried from the meeting room to intercept her.

"I
thought you would be pleased that we have found a way to end hostilities,"
he said.

"By
imitating Captain Heinste, a sterling example of
civilized
behavior?"

"Adalginza,
please. The plan is for impoundment, not slaughter. The savages will surrender,
once they see what we are able to do to them. The Eradicators will not have
their way. I will see to that. I promise you."

"How
humane you are." Adalginza felt so much hate for Kalos now that she
understood how the emotion  could be the dark companion to love. "It is so
refreshing to learn that you instead plan to cage all the savages as you would
the tropical birds in your zoos."

"Adalginza,
it is not like that."

"Will
you charge admission for citizens of the frontier to view them? Or will you
perhaps have traveling exhibits, bringing specimens to the Prime Continent for the
amusement of the citizens of the Crescent Houses?"

"The
children will be educated. That is the plan."

"In the
ways of the Crescent Houses."

Captain
Kalos threw up his hands. "If the savages cooperate, the killing will
stop. Peace will prevail. It is the best I can do. I have worked long and hard
for a solution."

"At
Lady Sagawea's side."

"What
are you saying?"

"My own
husband chooses not to acknowledge that I exist for more than a half season. He
lives instead in the abode of his old lover."

"Lady Sagawea
and I were close at one time, but we were not lovers."

"You
were on the Prime Continent for much of the time. Why have you stayed
away?"

Kalos
regarded her almost lovingly.

"Your
grandmother made it clear that I was no longer welcome. Besides, I did try to
visit you on three occasions when I was in Sola Re. Did you know? Of course not.
Lady Swiala did not bother to tell you I was at the door, did she?"

Adalginza
paused, frowning. "You could have approached me outside the abode."