Effects of Secrecy
EFFECTS OF SECRECY / CH. 1:INSTITUTE
THURS, 29TH JUNE 2276, 11AM, INSTITUTE FOR THE HUMAN MIND
[What do you mean 'get Simon to look at him'?] Kate asked.
[Forget I said anything, Kate. It was probably just a silly thought.] Eliza replied. They were discussing an applicant to the Association of Truthsayers, who admitted he hadn't been telling the whole truth during his interview.
[You did mean Alice's Simon?]
Eliza sighed, [Yes, Kate.]
[But he's a physicist, not a physician or a psychologist.]
[I know.]
[So... how would he be able to help?]
[{reluctance}It's not my place to say, Kate. I shouldn't have said anything really.]
[But you think there's a chance he might?]
[It's possible, Kate. I've no idea really.]
[I know you get called Mystery a lot, but this sounds really mysterious.]
[It's just something you don't know, Kate, that's all.]
[And you're not going to tell.]
[Of course not.]
[I guess I'd better call him or Alice then.]
[I'm saying no more, Kate,] Eliza thought [I've probably said too much already.]
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11.10AM, IHM
[Alice?] Kate called, [Eliza's just sort of hinted that Simon might be able to help me with a problem I've got.]
[Oh, did she? What's the problem?]
[Applicant to the truthsayer association, glows as reliable, glows as a Christian, glows as honest, but he's not giving consent for me to scan him.
Medical forms say he had amnesia but he's all but admitted that's a lie, he said it relates to a strict vow he's taken. On the scanning front, he's happy enough in general but only if I promise I won't look at memories connected to his past at all.]
[Hmm.]
[What does that mean?]
[Among other things, it means I'm not sure I'd use the gift on the guy.]
[I didn't, not to scan him.]
[Good. How did Eliza get involved?]
[He's joining Security, you know they like agents with the power to join up. He came, but was pretty nervous.]
[Oh, OK. But how do you think Simon could help with this?]
[I was telling Eliza, I don't really don't feel I can give the guy my full approval without scanning what he's thinking while he's facing a dilemma, but if he's worried about what I find he's bound to have it lurking, isn't he? She thought 'maybe you could get Simon to take a look at him', and then clammed up.]
[Good for her. For the record, I don't think he'd be able to help.]
[Alice What are you all hiding from me?]
[If I told you, I think I'd put you in a difficult position, Kate.]
[Me?]
[Yes, you.]
[Why?]
[He's not planning on ever leaving Mars, as far as I know, let alone moving to Restoration. He's having far too much fun with his hedgehogs.]
[Hedgehogs? Oh, his odd force fields?]
[Yes.]
[Why would him not coming to Restoration put me in a difficult position?]
[According to Sarah, your little family's pretty well balanced.]
[Hold on, you're talking about the Institute?]
[I really should go, sorry,] Alice said.
[Alice, please?]
[What?]
[What are you talking about?]
[Your prime directive, Kate. Bye.]
Kate felt like she wanted to scream from behind her truthsayer mask. She probably would have, if she wasn't being watched by the interviewee.
“Were they able to help you get anywhere?” he asked.
“Sorry, James. Lots of discussion, but nothing useful at all.”
James Montgomery shrugged, “I'm not really worried, Maam.”
“The thing is, it probably counts as a black mark against you, in terms of your career.”
“I did tell them I didn't think I should be applying.”
“What I'm going to say is that although you were not willing to take the final exam with someone with the Gift checking your thoughts, you've passed all the tests you took, and I have no doubts about your honesty or integrity.”
“Thank you.”
“It's the truth. But can I give a reason for that refusal?”
“I guess it comes down to religious reasons, doesn't it? I just can't agree to something that's likely to result breaking my vow.”
“You've heard of the woman known as Mystery Voice?”
“Yes.”
“She said she's going to need to ask you some questions about whether that vow impacts on your service to the crown, either directly of via me.”
“I'm willing, either way. I don't take vows lightly.”
“I'll tell her,” Kate said, and tapped on her wrist unit.
A few seconds later, James heard a voice he'd heard before.
[James, is there any conflict between the vow and your oath of service?] Eliza asked.
[Not as long as their majesties don't demand I speak of what I've vowed to keep secret.]
[And is that secret in any way related to anything illegal, or damaging to the crown or country?]
[No. Not unless it is illegal to leave my medical files saying I have amnesia when what I said was I couldn't answer. I can't answer those questions, maam, not without breaking my vow.]
[Very well, James. The law allows you mental privacy.]
[Thank you, maam.]
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THURS, 29TH JUNE 2276, 11.30AM, INSTITUTE FOR THE HUMAN MIND
[Simon, this is Kate. Are you interruptible?]
[Hello, Kate! Long time no chat. I'm just doing some weeding.]
[Weeding? I didn't think anyone had imported weeds to Mars!]
[Well, there's some grasses around, which would be weeds in the wrong place. But actually this is more a case of getting rid of last seasons' crop from where some of it obviously escaped harvest and we want to put something else.]
[Oh, right. Alice tells me I shouldn't be asking you about something.]
[I find it's always good to listen to good advice.]
[Why does me talking to you have something to do with the Institute's prime directive?]
[I'm happy to tell you as a friend, Kate. But you've got that other role too, and I'm just not sure I should tell anyone connected to the institute.]
[You're saying you've got something we'd want to document.]
[I wouldn't be surprised; I've got a different gift, not a human ability, and not really linked to the power.]
[Oh wow.] Kate's mind reeled at the possibilities.
[But I'm not signing up as a staff member of the Institute, unless you plan to set up a forcefields-related branch on Mars.]
[Alice said something to that effect too.]
[So, it's probably better if I don't tell you more, isn't it? Because all you've got at the moment is some unsubstantiated rumours and deliberately vague claims, and that doesn't force you to do anything.]
[I'm supposed to investigate rumours, even, depending how specific they are.]
[Oh. Sorry. I said too much, didn't I?]
[Just enough to get me burning with curiosity, but not enough to make me offer to bankrupt the institute or lose my job if you don't bite. Thank you Simon. I guess I need to talk some things through with the staff here.]
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THURS, 29TH JUNE 2276, 12.15PM, INSTITUTE FOR THE HUMAN MIND
[Sarah, John?] Kate called, [are you free to talk? I've got a dilemma.]
[Is it urgent? We're in a meeting.]
[Not really. Call me when you're free, can you?]
[Will do.]
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THURS, 29TH JUNE 2276, 6PM, RESTORATION.
[Hi, Kate,] Sarah called. [Is now OK? We've got about half an hour.]
[You're being kept busy.]
[Yes, lots of business things. What's up?]
[I hate secrets. Eliza knows something about Simon she's not telling, and Simon told me that I shouldn't ask, but told me a bit more anyway.]
[Simon?]
[Alice's Simon, as in Mars.]
[Oh. What?]
[He's got a different gift. Unspecified, except that Eliza's accidental hint involved getting Simon to look at someone.]
[But he doesn't want to say more?] Sarah asked.
[He says he's happy to as a friend, but he's not leaving Mars or giving up his forcefield research. And he's worried that if we knew more then the prime directive would kick in.]
[He's got a point,] John said.
[I know. I'm just burning with curiosity.]
[So other than trying to get us curious too, what do you want to talk about?] Sarah asked.
[Should the institute look to set up a Mars branch?]
[Oooh. Complete with research staff, fortress, psych-counsellors and UN reporting restrictions?] John asked.
[I imagine the fortress would be hard, but that sort of thing, yes. Or at least a cooperation with the Mars University.]
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
[That sounds more plausible, really, doesn't it?] Sarah asked.
[Except for the relative wages, yes. It'd be cheaper to send someone out there for a few years than employ a Martian researcher for however many kilos per day, like the university offers.]
[And there's no other way?] Sarah asked, [Can't we find some people who'd like to be part of it and build slowly? Like with the truthsayer branch?]
[I guess so, probably.] Kate said [But I think I'd like there to be someone from the Institute helping set it up.]
[Who?] Sarah challenged.
[I don't know.]
[Don't even think me or John, Kate. We've too many responsibilities here on Earth.]
[I know. I can't think of any staff member we could do without, really.]
[Pray about it, Kate.]
[I will.]
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THURS, 29TH JUNE 2276, 9PM, RESTORATION.
“Pete, love. I have a silly question for you.” Kate said later that evening.
“Yes?”
“Have you ever thought of going to Mars?”
“No. Why?”
“I'm playing with crazy ideas.”
“I don't think I'd make a good farmer, Kate.”
“Me neither. I told you they were crazy. I'll keep thinking.”
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MON, 10TH JULY, 11PM.
[James, a question for you.]
[Mystery?] James was surprised, he was in the middle of a field exercise on basic training.
[Yes. There's no pressure, I'm asking almost everyone with the power. Would you look favourably on an assignment to Mars?]
[Mars? The planet?]
[Yes.]
[Err...]
[Please think about it. I'll call back in the next day or so. Oh, and apologise to your instructor from me for distracting you.]
[The one trying to sneak up behind me?]
[That's the one. You actually heard her?]
[Her decisions.]
[Really? You've got a long range!]
[I know, Maam.]
[But no headaches?] Mystery asked.
[You mean the pain? No maam.]
[Please consider Mars then. It'd be a diplomatic protection role. 'Bye!]
[Goodbye Maam.] James thought and then whispered into the night “Mystery sends apologies for distracting me, maam, but I was aware of your approach from when you decided you ought to be safe from me hearing you at ten metres.”
“Hmph,” Pris said, standing up. “So, if she hadn't distracted you what would you have done?”
“I expect I'd have looked round in case I could see you with the night vision goggles, before you got to the swampy bit, maam.”
“Very considerate of you.”
“I try, Maam.”
“So what is your range?”
“It depends on different things, Maam. On a damp night like tonight, about twelve metres.”
“Hmm. So, what was Mystery distracting you with?”
“She asked me to consider an assignment in a particular location.”
“Not courier service, then?”
“No, Maam, diplomatic protection.”
“You're fast, you're strong, you've got stamina, and you swim like a fish but she wants to put you in some embassy building where you can get bored and fat?”
“She said she was asking almost everyone with the power, Maam.”
“Oh, Mars!”
“Yes, Maam. Did I give some clue?”
“It's just that time again, James.” Pris said, “at least you won't get fat there.”
“Time, Maam?”
“Their majesties decided about two years ago that if having one and a half thought-hearers on Mars is a good thing, then having three or four would be even better.”
“One and a half?”
“Mars is an odd assignment, James. Very very odd. The ambassador is also a journalist, and only a part time civil servant. Her husband is not a civil servant at all. Since it might have a bearing on your decision, I have prior clearance to tell you they both hear thoughts. You may not pass it on or discuss it with anyone, though of course Mystery knows.”
James shook his head, “I applied to join the police force, Maam.”
“I know. And you got bullied into joining Security instead. What do you think about the idea of adjusting to a new culture, growing your own food, and needing to wear a breather when you go outside?”
“I don't know, Maam. I really don't know. I dreamt about going into space as a kid, but.... I think I need to pray about it.”
“Turn in, James. You're not going to learn anything staying up all night, you're good enough to be on staff anyway.”
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WEDNESDAY, 12TH JULY, 9AM.
[James?] It was Mystery Voice again.
[Hello, Mystery.]
[At their Majesty's request, I'm trying to make a bit of sense of your file. My impression when I first spoke to you was that I wasn't the first person with the gift you've thought to. Is that right?]
James hesitated, [Yes, maam.]
[You registered with the police as an undocumented immigrant, age about sixteen.]
[Yes.]
[At that time you spoke slightly accented but fluent English, stated you'd had an accident and hit your head, but couldn't tell any more. Your medical records agreed, your DNA didn't match anyone else's but you've got some ancestry here.]
[That sounds possible.]
[But you weren't born here, or your birth would be on record.]
[I believe you maam. I don't remember being born.]
[Few people do. You then attended high school, and studied law at university, during which time you became a naturalised citizen, and then applied to join the police force. The recruiters looked at your grades and declared you'd be wasted in the force and shunted you into the civil service instead.]
[Yes, maam.]
[When did you become a Christian?]
[As a child, Maam.]
[Do you remember your parents?]
[I didn't, immediately after the accident. But yes, maam.]
[But you won't speak of them?]
[I took a vow.]
[I understand. You've now finished basic training with top marks, and you did exceedingly well in theory and self defense too.]
[Thank you, maam.]
[Pris tells me that you have a range equivalent to someone with the pain, which I've never heard of anywhere in a man. So, what I'm presuming is that you originated in an isolated and secretive community and for some reason you left it.]
[Please don't ask too much about it, maam, but yes.]
[Your vow, yes. Are you still in contact with your birth community?]
[I have occasionally heard from them, Maam, but I don't know how to make contact.]
[How did they make contact?]
[Must I answer?]
[Does it impinge on your vow?]
[It gets close, maam. But not quite.]
[Please tell me all you can, James.]
[Might I have your vow, Maam? It would make it easier to reply, if I knew you would not speak of it to others or write it down.]
[I vow that I will preserve your secrecy and will not deliberately pass on what you tell me to any other, unless you reveal some crime.]
[{relief} Thank you, Maam. Like this, maam. There is a member of the community with the gift, but I expect you do not know them.]
[{shock}]
[I did not really fit in at home, so I chose to leave. I took my vow to the one with the gift. I am contacted, perhaps once a year. I am not asked for state secrets or anything like that, but I suppose in some ways I might be called a spy or a reporter. My community are isolated, and would hear little of what happens in the wider world without me and a few others like me.]
[What would you think of going to Mars?]
[I wouldn't mind. It would be yet another new culture to learn, but that's OK.]
[What would your community think of you going to Mars?]
[I think they'd find it interesting to hear of life there, maam. They wouldn't object, certainly. My life is my own.]
[Where does your loyalty lie, James?]
[Ultimately, to God, Maam.]
[And after God?]
[I will keep my vow to keep my people's secrets, and I will keep my vow to the king of this country, which has given me shelter and home and friendship, even without knowing much about me.]
[May I write down that you have spoken to me of leaving your isolated home community, and that your leaving was not forced but accepted on both sides?]
[Yes, Maam.]
[Would you say that most people at home are Christians?]
[Yes, Maam, almost all. And you may write that down too, if you wish.]
[Thank you. I'm going to recommend you do go to Mars, James. Here on Earth, there's the possibility of you eventually being assigned to a position of conflicting loyalties at some point.]
[You mean permanently?]
[Would that be a problem?]
[No, Maam. Except.... urm.... it's not good for man to live alone.]
[Do you have a girlfriend?]
[No, Maam.]
[Mars is a different sort of posting, you'll have Martian citizenship when you've been there an Earth-year, and you can't avoid that without dying. Try not to fall in love with someone born in another nation on Earth, that might get complicated. But it would certainly help you decide to stay there permanently if you married a born-Martian lass, with no desire to see Earth, wouldn't it?]
[It would maam. And their majesties would have no objections?]
[I'll let you know before you leave, which will be in mid-October on a three-month flight, as that will allow you to take maximum cargo. Expect your formal notification of assignment in the next couple of days.]
[Thank you, Maam.]
[Thank you, for thinking freely to me, James.]
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WEDNESDAY, 12TH JULY, 10AM, THE PALACE.
“Maria, you asked me to drop by?” Eliza knocked on the half-open door of the head of field operations.
“Yes, your highness,” Maria replied, “sorry for asking you to come to me, but...”
“My time is not as constrained today, I know. Not a problem.”
“I see some more notes on young James' file.”
“Yes. I've spoken to him at some length, after taking a vow not to pass on much of what he said. The amnesia wasn't faked at first, but I get the feeling his head injury was self-inflicted to cause it.”
“So he is a spy?”
“Sort of, he admitted that, but not really. More of a reporter or foreign correspondent, I think. Like I wrote, he's from an isolated secretive community, and he left by mutual consent after taking a vow to not speak of it.
"I've no idea where he's from, but we're talking extreme isolation, I think. He says that without him and a few like him they'd have no idea what was going on in the wider world.”
“How's he contacted?”
“I know, but it's covered by my vow to him. What I can tell you is knowing what I know now, I'm treading very carefully indeed.”
“You are treading carefully?”
“Not sticking my nose in where I shouldn't. I don't want to upset God. We don't have a need to know more of James' past.”
Maria digested that for a while, before asking “What does he think of Mars?”
“Happy enough to go, his only concern was about whether he'd be allowed to form a relationship. I told him I expected so, but I'd ask their majesties.”
“He didn't think he should check with home before going?”
“He said he thought they'd find it interesting, and said as long as he can keep his vow to keep his people's secrets, his life is his own.”
“But we don't know where his people live.”
“No. He didn't object to me suggesting Mars would be a good place, to avoid future conflicts, but I heard a bit of a thought about that being really unlikely.”
“So you think his people might be living secretively amongst the general population?”
“No. Then they wouldn't need him as a reporter, would they?”
“Sorry, silly of me. I wonder where they are.”
“Well, you're into secrets that God is keeping there, Maria.”
“You're not saying he's from space or something, are you?”
“No. He thought the thing about having genetics from here was pretty likely.”
“The thing I find interesting is that it might be you and I have genetics from there.”
“I noticed that. A few hundred years before 'princess Sarah' is a lot of generations back, though. Want me to ask about it?”
“I expect he won't say anything.”
“Me too, but I can ask.”
“Best not to. We don't want him knowing who Mystery Voice is, do we?”
“Probably not.”
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WEDNESDAY, 12TH JULY, 5PM, NEW RECRUIT'S TRAINING AREA.
James knocked at the door to his superior's office.
“You sent for me, sir?”
“Yes. One formal letter of assignment, one covering letter from the palace, and one data crystal full of articles from our ambassador which you're expected to at least skim-read in chronological order as pre-orientation material. Given that they're talking about life on Mars, some of the earlier ones are out of date.”
“Lots of things change there, I've noticed.”
“Yes. Do you like folk-music?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Can't stand the stuff myself, but you liking it might help you survive the crazy place. Our ambassador will have been sent your file, so don't be too surprised if you get contacted directly.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“You would be well advised to take some refresher courses on international languages, in terms of dealing with other embassy staff. Don't bother with Russian, for the moment though.”
James had been wondering. Russia had had no diplomatic ties with Mars since the colony became independent and that didn't look likely to change.
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WEDNESDAY, 12TH JULY, 5.30PM
Back in his room, James read the letter of assignment which didn't tell him more than Mystery had done, and then the covering letter.
“Dear James,
thank you for your replies to Mystery's questions. You will be assigned to the staff of our ambassador on Mars, Alice Findhorn-Bunting, as per the attached assignment letter. Regarding your query about social contact, Mars is considered a full ally and your assignment is considered long term. Therefore, the formation of romantic attachment to either a born Martian or an immigrant originating from here would not present problems. Obviously as a crown representative we expect that you will be guided by the highest ethical standards and also by the advice of our ambassador in this matter. We would, however, strongly recommend against the formation of romantic attachments on-board the ship out. If you do find yourself drawn in such a direction, please discuss the matter fully and frankly with the ambassador.
“Please be aware that communication links to/from ships in transit to Mars are not considered secure, and you should follow the relevant procedures for secure messaging over an unsecured network for all communication while on board, whether of a personal or official nature.
HRH Albert.”
James was surprised to see that prince Albert had signed the letter. Had he written it personally? It seemed like it. He also scratched his head at that last paragraph. How was he supposed to have an full and frank discussion with the ambassador when every single byte of data was going to be deducted from a one-time pad of random data he'd have to take with him from Earth, and therefore normal procedures didn't allow more than a thousand words of personal messages per day? He'd have to ask. Not that he was planning on falling in love on the ship.
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FRIDAY, 28TH JULY 2276, 11AM, INSTITUTE FOR THE HUMAN MIND
“Right,” Kate addressed the staff meeting, “As you know I've been struggling with the idea of launching a branch of the institute on Mars. I've finally got something that sounds like it might work, I've got the agreement of the ambassador on Mars, the Mars Council and the Mars University, whose toes we might be trampling on otherwise.”
“Congratulations,” John said.
“I've also talked to MarsCorp who said it sounded quite useful, and managed to convince the accountants too. There's just a couple of little snags.”
“Please?” Ivan whispered to Janet, his wife. She nodded, knowing roughly what was coming next. Ivan, in his mad scientist voice said, “Tso, beloved leader, how many of ze brainz do you need?”
“Two,” Kate answered with a smile, “perhaps three.”
“But ve only have two in ze cupboard...”
“Thank you, Ivan. I need two or three volunteers, to help set things up out there. That is to say, two or three people to catch the flight out in mid-October, which arrives in early December. Then they'd give final interviews, give training, set up equipment, and unless they really want to stay, catch the flight home at the end of January or very early February. Two months is the longest stay that can be arranged shorter than two and a bit years. In terms of who I'm looking at... I'm looking for a counsellor, a brain-scanning expert, and an electronics expert. Sarah can't go, because of her other commitments, and I'm not going to force a couple apart for five months, so John's not on the list for the first spot. That means you or me, Will. Then, for the next two I'm thinking either Ivan and Janet as a couple or Horrace on your own and we'd hire local help for you if needed.
“This is going to be a joint operation with the University, under our rules. That's to say the U.N. are willing to extend the anonymity rules, the council are perfectly happy with that, the university will be offering staff who'd then be part-time with us, and part time in their present roles. The building will be on their site. There are a number of strange things that the university have been working on, and they'd love to have access to one of our scanners. Publications would be jointly with the university. MarsCorp have a few of cases a year of space-trauma that they'd love to be able to treat on Mars rather than Earth, so that's one income stream, and there's a growing diplomatic staff there as well. Also, there are Martian residents who might be interested in talking to someone. Talking to our ambassador friend, we imagine that they'd be paying in kind, that's to say something like a kilo of foodstuff for an hour's counselling. That might not sound like much, but a kilo of veg is roughly worth five Martian transport kilos, so the accountants are very happy at the idea. Everyone has the idea that Martian living means that you're subsistence farming, but the latest news from Mars is that the services industry is beginning to pick up. Any questions?”
Will spoke up, “When you say you or me, are you thinking alone?”
“No. I'd be taking Pete. Are you thinking of telling us why you've been smiling quite a lot recently, Will?”
“I was, yes. Rachel said yes on Saturday.” He and Rachel had been going out for a long time, “Wedding date set for six weeks time. Urm, were you serious about a long term posting, Kate?”
“You want to go?”
“Rachel's brother's there already. She's spoken of going one day, but I've not told her you were thinking of a branch... I thought it was all just dreaming and didn't want to raise her hopes.”
“OK, Will, let's discuss this later. Ivan, Janet, Horrace? Any thoughts?”
“I'm happy to go,” Horrace said.
“That's good,” Janet said, “because I've been sick the last few mornings. It looks like our family's growing.”
“Congratulations!” Sarah said. The rest of the staff echoed the sentiment.