EFFECTS OF OPENNESS / CH. 9:EVENING CONVERSATIONS.

EMBASSY OF ATLANTIS, TUESOL, 6TH SEPTEMBER, 6PM

[Ruth, should I call back later?] Karella asked.

[Please don't, but rather include Robert, with whom I'm now walking, and his sister, who's also here. I've been hoping you'd call. Are you sitting, my queen?]

[Sitting? Why?]

[You're going to be very surprised at Robert's sister's name.]

[I'm sitting.]

[Robert's sister is Hathellah, granddaughter of Hathellah, granddaughter of Hathellah, great-granddaughter of Hathellah, granddaughter of Hathellah, great-granddaughter of Hathellah the elder, whose granddaughter Hathellah the younger died in childbirth while her brother walked on land. Hathellah the elder wrote secretly to her grandson, not knowing if he'd get the letter, over the seal of the outer Mer, instructing him to do his duty, preserve the secrets of the deep but also preserve the line. I have seen the letter and the impression of the seal. Hathellah walks on Mars. She has no need of a crown, but she is my age, and recognises that for her daughter or grand-daughter's sake she has a need for a husband of Mer blood.]

[Dear God in heaven, no wonder you hoped I'd call.]

[I was tempted to beg Alice to call you, but I knew she'd advise patience.]

[Yes. It's important but not urgent. Well! Greetings to you Hathellah granddaughter of Hathellah, princess of the outer Mer. May all your decisions be wise. Your people will rejoice at news that you live, princess. Would you have me proclaim it or will you declare yourself when you take up your seat on the Council?]

[I don't know, your Majesty. I have no desire to leave my home here for two years or more.]

[Ruth did you hear?]

[No, Majesty.]

[Can you all hold hands?]

[Yes, Karella] Ruth said, adding aloud, “Robert, you get to hold my hand and your sister's at the same time, and my queen is listening in too. So no wicked thoughts.”

[Ruth, stop that, you're embarrassing your boyfriend.] Karella said.

[Ha! Not as much as I embarrassed both of us when I got him to jump out of the mud this morning.]

[Ruth, please!] Robert thought.

[I plead guilty to grabbing him before anyone else did, your majesty. He wants to make me a swimming pool, sorry, a sea on Mars. Isn't he nice?]

[Ruth, calm down, please, or I'll order you to pour a bucket of cold water over your head.]

[Yes, your majesty.{giggle}]

[Go on, Ruth, out with it!] Karella ordered.

[{embarrasment} I'll just break hands, my queen. I wondered if that would help Robert, since I've got a white blouse on.]

[Ruth, you're representing me now. Do try to be more mature than I was at your age.]

[Yes, majesty. Sorry.]

[Now, you keep your thoughts under control please. Robert's doing much better than you are.]

[I'm glad one of us is.]

[You said you helped him jump out of the mud? How?]

[The forcefield trick.]

[And you caught him, with bare hands?]

[Yes.]

[That was rather a silly thing to do, Ruth. Too much intimacy.]

[I know, maam, now. But he'd been hiding his thoughts as deep as he could. Because of me, and he hardly felt he was moving at all.]

[I hope you'd at least checked on his family tree before that, young woman.]

[{guilty} afterwards.]

[Don't you ever learn?]

[Retrospectively.]

[But I presume you're OK?]

[Closest link is on the land-folk side, ten generations back. Sue Ocean-rower's brother. Hathellah keeps good records.]

[So she should. Calmer now?]

[Yes, your majesty. I hope.]

[Hold hands then.] Karella instructed, [Right, Ruth, Please tell me about the factual, non-emotion-laden things that have stopped you opening negotiations with the Mars Council.]

[It didn't, your Majesty, but there are other ideas in my mind now, lots of other ideas. Robert is researching forcefields, and wrote a paper on how they might enable a shuttle between planets. Boris got hold of a copy, and spotted some problems with it. Yesterday he replied via my cousin James with a carefully misleading questionnaire on the state of landfolk forcefield technology. Since Robert's ideas were along the line of a concept sketch Boris had done, and there was no new technology in it, James passed that sketch as well as the reply from Boris to Robert's idea. This morning James brought me Robert.]

[What's the concept, Robert?]

[Turn comets into water, up to fifteen kilometre's diameter.]

[Carry on.]

[It's a simpler, more workable design than what I was thinking of for my launch and recovery system. The thought of it stopping a fifteen kilometre diameter comet is scary, but I aim to start slowly, and prove it all works. I don't actually think there are many comets that size, the very biggest are twenty kilometres. But with the ability to strip comets direct to a lake or sea on Mars, then the rate of water delivery to Mars could increase massively.]

[Right. So, you all see its positive points?] Karella asked.

[Yes, your majesty.] Robert agreed.

[And somehow you met Hathellah, Ruth, via Robert?]

[I wanted to check on his family tree.]

[Very sensible. OK. And then you had more ideas?]

[Yes, one is that if there was a sea on Mars, then finally there'd be a motive for space-going submarines, and we could use the batteries properly. Next idea, there are many similarities between home and here. A small population, we live risky lives, we have space in some ways, but not enough in others. It is clear to me that we could help Mars. And Mars has something we do not have. Doctors.]

[Doctors? Yes, that's an idea that I've heard from your friend Harry also.]

[I'm not surprised. Here my cousin Boris's back could be healed. Here they have so many doctors that the psychology department are using it to upset people.]

[Boris's back could be healed?]

[Yes, your majesty. Through careful medication they can regrow severed limbs, or connect artificial legs. Reconnecting a severed spine is equally possible. I expect it will not be painless, but it is possible.]

[I didn't realise. What did you mean about upsetting people?]

[They sent me a message saying all admissions staff at the university will have to agree to recommend people come to Mars for treatment, so that the doctors would not be under-used.]

[That would be a problem?]

[It is a poor thing to do, to suggest that people leave their homes, families, friends and take up a whole new life, just to save money, is it not?] Hathellah asked.

[Yes, of course.] Karella said [But if it was for the safety of our people...]

[Or love,] Ruth added.

[Then we'd think it was almost normal. Do you not wish to do that to someone, after all, Hathellah?]

[No, your majesty. I wish to meet someone who'd like to live on Mars, who would not miss swimming in the seas of Earth, who'd be a fit father for my children. Who I'd like, who'd like me.]

[Just like?] Karella asked gently. [I recommend instead someone who'd change their plans because of you, and who you'd change your plans for, and when you plan together you find you both actually want the same thing, which is to be together wherever that might be.]

[And will you send me hundreds to choose from, then your majesty?]

[You have free choice, Hathellah, as do most people these days. You do not live in a world where the man who loves you would be forced to marry someone else by politics. That is why you have that right, not so you can force yourself on an unwilling husband. What sort of marriage would that be?]

[{Understanding} I hadn't thought of it that way, your majesty, thank you.]

[But there is a little problem, princess, if you don't want to come to Earth.]

[There is?]

[Yes. Your seat on the high council is only yours when you come to sit on it, and vow to uphold the unity of the Mer.]

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

[Ah. Ruth wondered if there might be some law like that. So at the moment, I have the power to disunite, but not to build.]

[Building was always harder, princess. That is true. But I think you will have to read the laws. To disunite you must also be at the seat of the council. Away from here, really, you are simply yourself. You have no formal responsibilities, no requirements, no special duties. This is what Hathellah gained by laying down her crown, the lucky thing.]

[So you can simply carry on being Hathie as long as you like, Hathie.] Robert thought.

[If Hathie is who you want to be, yes,] Karella confirmed. [But you do have your title, so feel free to use it, for example to cause fear and trembling among philosophers.]

[Ruth warned me, earlier today, not to threaten what I would not deliver.]

[Ah, and you wish to threaten them with Boris?]

[James told me Boris did say he'd like to try the manned version of his cargo forcefield-ship.] Ruth said.

[Your cousin is crazy, Ruth.] Karella said, a moment later, [But I have called him. When he arrives, I'll allow you to ask him if he's willing to be part of your threat, princess.]

[Please, your majesty, do not tell him my full name. Let me be simply Hathie, the sister of Ruth's new boyfriend.]

[You understand the power of names and titles to change minds, Hathie. Well done.]

----------------------------------------

EMBASSY OF ATLANTIS, 7PM

[Hathie, and Ruth,] Karella called [I have Boris here.]

[How's my favourite mad scientist?] Ruth asked.

[Hey! I resemble that comment. What have you sent Lara, Ruth?]

[Me? Not my doing at all. A friend calls him 'Mr Boring', though.]

[I'd call him Mr Happy right now, and Lara's trying to avoid idol worship. Anyway, why are we taking up my beloved Monarch's valuable time in idle chit-chat?]

[Because we're making social contact before we get down to important business. It's traditional. Other social contact related news is that you've found me a boyfriend, thanks for sending him to me. Hathie here's his sister.]

[Oooh, I'd better be on my best behaviour, then hadn't I.]

[Depends,] Hathie said, [What I want to know is if I can threaten the experimental philosophy department with you.]

[I'll come and zap them at your command milady. How have they insulted you?]

[Is he always like this, Ruth?]

[Mentally? I expect so. He's really reserved face to face though.]

[Your majesty, did they hear me thinking I'd zap someone?]

[Of course they did Boris] Karella replied.

[Oops. I'd better not ask if Hathie's a brunette then.] Boris thought.

[Yes I am, Boris, and you need more practice thinking to people.]

[{embarrasment}]

[Anyway, Boris, it goes like this.] Hathie thought [Probably as some kind of ethics experiment, this morning, when I got to the university where I work, I had a letter that pretended to come from the office of the head of the university saying that they'd got a new policy. It explained that in view of the excess numbers of doctors they'd been training, there were now so many extra doctors that they really really needed some more patients, and it was up to the university admissions staff, i.e. me and my colleagues, to help with this problem. So we needed to agree to encourage anyone who needed an operation that could be done here, to come to Mars, offering discounted treatment and hospital fees. I really felt I was going to lose my job, I mean, it seemed really unethical to persuade people to take up the Martian life just for an operation, then my brother pointed out that the contact number was wrong, and my mother pointed the finger at the experimental philosophy department. But then we got thinking, and thought yes, they probably thought it was a great experiment to see how many people were willing to sign up to something like that and how many exploded in moral outrage, but they did promise the discount. What if we call their bluff and see how much the people in charge of their budget squeal. Ruth had only just pointed out to me that Mer don't make threats they can't follow through with, so... would you like to be part of my petty revenge? If they actually do follow through, it'd be pretty painful I expect, and I guess you'd be stuck living the farmer's life for at least two years, once you were on your feet.]

[{confusion}]

[Boris, what you probably don't realise is your back is probably operable here.] Ruth added, [I don't know but... probably. Talk to Harry for another non-expert opinion.]

[If they manage to wiggle out... how much?]

[I don't know.] Ruth thought, [I'm pretty sure one of your diamonds would cover it.]

[Harry is talking about getting a hospital opened here, too, Boris.] Karella interjected [You don't need to go to Mars.]

[But I've wanted to go to Mars all my life, Queenie. Sorry, your Majesty.]

[{humour}You think of me as Queenie?] Karella asked.

[{embarrasment} Sorry.]

[Boris, you're a brave and funny man.] Hathie thought [But you don't mind?]

[I entirely mind that you think I'd mind. Why would I mind fulfilling my dreams?]

[Urm, because I hear that life on Mars is weird compared to Earth,] Hathie thought.

[No water, no fish, no submarines.] Ruth expanded.

[Ruthie babe, I've never ever been offered the potion, think about that for a moment. I'm a freak.]

[{shock}]

[I didn't know, Boris.] Karella thought to him [I expect most people assume you grew up drinking it. It's never policy to keep it from any mer and you are mer. I'll happily make some for you myself, any time you want vomit for a while.]

[Thank you, your majesty, that's possibly the second nicest thing anyones ever said to me.]

[You can call me queenie.]

[Really?] Boris was shocked.

[Keeps me in my place. I tried to refuse this job, remember.]

[Would you lay it down now?] Boris asked.

[Find me someone else who could do it and I would in a flash.]

[Well said, Queenie. Maybe I'll let you make me some vomit juice then. Just let me launch Ruth's birthday present on time.]

[Would it be a problem if I asked that something else to go on it?] Karella asked.

[Do you remember studying much physics, your majesty?]

[Urm, that's not the same as 'ooh what strong muscles Christoph has', is it? I remember that.]

[No, Queenie.]

[Do I take it the answer is 'leave that cargo the way it was yesterday so I can launch the thing?']

[Yes, Queenie.]

[Then assuming you really want to go to Mars, you'll get special cargo to take, OK?]

[How much?] Boris asked.

[At least one live squid? Please?] Ruth asked.

[Good idea Ruth.] Karella thought [And a few extra kilos of official treasures.]

[Official treasures?] Boris asked, confused.

[Things that would have been on the list last week if I'd known what I know now, that sort of thing.] Karella said, dismissively.

[Oh. OK.]

[Don't forget to bring a radio, too.] Ruth added, [You'll need to talk to flight control.]

[Yeah, I suppose I will.]

[You're really thinking of coming in an untested experiment?] Hathellah asked.

[Of course, what sort of mad sorry bold scientist, do you take me for?]

[A brave one. Won't you get bored on the journey?]

[It's not that long, girly. You don't think I'm going to be taking weeks to get there, do you?]

[Boris, just don't get too close to lightspeed, OK?] Ruth thought [No one here wants to get bombarded with any extra gamma rays as you slow down.]

[Don't worry Ruthie, I won't try pushing it that hard on a trial run.]

[You are joking, I hope,] Hathellah thought.

[It's a waste of fuel trying.] Boris thought dismissively.

[Boris, when you called it my birthday present, you did mean you'd be launching it on my birthday, didn't you?] Ruth thought.

[No. It ought to reach you then, that's my plan anyway.]

[That's next week.]

[I know.]

[Please send me a flight plan, complete with rates of acceleration, deceleration, turn rates, total delta V and information on how to contact it to warn of planned shipping. Tomorrow.]

[Oh. They'll want to contact it?]

[You were planning it to be fully autonomous with no means of external control?] Ruth asked, in growing concern.

[Yes.]

[Did you read anything I sent you?] She asked.

[What, all that rubbish about the International Space Travel Authority? I thought that was just for entertainment.]

[No, Boris, that's the rules you're supposed to obey.]

[Technically we've not signed up yet.] Karella said. [Is there any experimental drone-ship category?]

[Yes. You're supposed to fly along side it, ready to hit the shut-down button, and able to out-accelerate it. Plus for that flight it's supposed to have no cargo on board.]

[I told you it was a joke.] Boris thought [How can I possibly out-accelerate a twenty kilo spacecraft which is capable of carrying a tonne? Please don't sign up to those rules, Queenie, they're out of date.]

[I suppose you could class it as a military vessel.] Ruth thought, [But then there's a whole heap of different rules.]

[Such as?]

[Not sure. One was no fissile material.]

[What do they think about antimatter drives?] Boris asked.

[Let's not ask,] Karella decided.

[All our ships are military,] Boris pointed out, [as all rely on military secrets. And that has been the law of the deep for hundreds of years.]

[Yes.] Karella agreed, [A thousand years, actually. So, it is necessarily a military vessel. Please inform whoever needs to know this, Ruth, and request permission for it to land on Mars.]

[Any landing requirements, Boris?] Ruth asked.

[Just name the site. It'll be parachuting in at the end, oh and tell me the frequency for the locator signal.]

[I'll let the Council do that. What about your ship? Want a runway?]

[No. I'm just redesigning it with anti-gravity, like I've got on my chair.]

[{disbelief} Very funny, Boris.] Hathellah thought.

[She doesn't believe me, Ruth.]

[I thought anti-gravity had been theoretically disproved,] Ruth replied.

[Yeah, well, the guy who wrote the textbook was wrong.]

[Boris, how long have you known this?] Karella asked.

[I found out there was a mistake in the equations that everyone thought disproved it five years ago, Queenie. I've had working proof since I got it working for my chair.]

[And why haven't you been feted by the council for your discovery?]

[No one bothered asking, I guess. They must have assumed I was doing it all by range finders and pushing on the ground. I'm just that weird freak who breaks all the rules, no one asks me things.]

[Boris, I ask, no, I beg you. Please allow me to name you Boris Gravitymaster.]

[I'm honoured, my queen.]

[And please tell someone, lots of people, how you do it.] Karella added.

[Boris,] Hathellah asked, [will you be my boyfriend please?]

[Not funny.]

[I'm serious.]

[You don't know me.]

[Sounds like hardly anyone does. I want first dibs before you're mobbed by a hoard of brunettes after fame and glory.]

[I'm a freak, remember?]

[No. I remember you saying you're a freak, but no one's convinced me it's true. I heard your back got broken, that doesn't sound like freak to me, that sounds sad.]

[What about my feet, Eh?]

[What about them?]

[No webs.]

[Mine neither. Probably because the last pure-blooded mer in my family tree was Sathzakara's big sister, Lara Chainbringer]

[Hey, we're relatives!]

[That far back doesn't matter.] Karella said, [Boris are you saying you've got outer Mer blood?]

[Freaky feet they called me, even before my accident. Only me of course. All my sisters have normal webs.]

[Some five year olds are stupid, and know no genetics at all,] Hathellah said, dismissively. [I'm all in favour of having an outer-Mer boyfriend, Boris. Blame it on my grandmother and her grandmother and her great-grandmother and her grandmother and so on.]

[What have they got to do with it?]

[Passed my name down to me, Hathellah.]

[{shock}]

[The rightful princess of your bloodline wants to get to know you, Boris.] Karella said, [And you're not a close cousin, I just checked. I'd say yes if I were you.]

[You're really brunette?] Boris asked.

[I'm no blond.]

[She's got long, very dark brown hair, Boris, and a pretty face.] Ruth supplied.

[But I'm thinking of cutting it shorter,] Hathellah said.

[Please don't cut your hair.] Boris said.

[Does that mean yes?]

[Yes.]

[Good. Now, I do not like the racial prejudice I hear against my people, Karella. If my people are not ruled without prejudice, then I must take up my crown and split the Mer. Please proclaim this in my name, and stamp it out.]

[I will proclaim it, Hathellah, and I have already rebuked those who let such tormenting words pass without disciplining ignorant children, and I will do so again.]

----------------------------------------

EMBASSY OF ATLANTIS, MARS, 7.30PM

“Hathellah?” Ruth asked, “Whatever happened to picking from hundreds?”

“Your cousin sounds like a very very clever man, Ruth. And he's funny.”

“And socially awkward,” Ruth added.

“And not afraid of risks.” Hathellah repllied.

“There is that.” Ruth agreed.

“Is he deformed, ugly?”

“No, except of course his leg muscles are pretty much non-existent.”

“How did he injure his back?” Hathellah asked.

“I'm not sure. He wouldn't ever tell me. My guess is he was climbing. I remember him always climbing things, trying to get higher.”

“I just hope he doesn't rush things, trying to get here too soon.”

“You'd better get home and tell your parents you've got a boyfriend.”

“A boyfriend with a personal anti-gravity spaceship,” Hathellah said, “How's that for bragging rights?”

“He hasn't got it yet Hathellah.”

“No, but he's going to by time he gets here.”

“Yes.”

“Is Atlantis even connected to the interplanetary network yet? I want to write to him.”

“Atlantis itself is, but I don't know if he's got a wrist unit. Hold on...”

Ruth looked up a number on her contacts list, and forwarded it to Hathellah's “I've just sent you Harry's number. Harry is entirely convinced he's going to marry Boris' sister.”

“Hold on, Harry York?”

“Yes, you know him?”

“Used to come to our fellowship. Very... solid man.”

“Hey, I've just thought, if Boris really gets his little run-about spaceship, and it all works properly, then it's really possible that you can visit Atlantis, isn't it?”

“Yes. And you can show Robert the sights.”

“Making lots of assumptions about things working out.”

“Yes. For all of us.”