Hizen and I followed Talavera through a long canyon path, winding eastward towards the city they mentioned. Along the way, they explained to me what sort of organization the ‘POOL’ was, and how anxious ‘His Eminence’ was to see me, and why. Although I was still too concerned about Hizen to be enthusiastic, I tried to follow along.
“...The Proxies Of Our Lord are a group founded by my superior: His Eminence, the Grand Exalted Archduke Sancai, who makes his home in the great city called East Crown.”
“...Oh.”
“On the outside, the members of the POOL are meant to serve as an example to all Nobles; to demonstrate fealty and faith in Our Lord and to live according to Her word. In reality, however, the POOL works towards the revolution of the Ordered World and freedom for the Martian people, Nobles and Servants alike. This fact is a secret, one which you will be expected to guard with your life.”
“...Oh. I guess that’s fine.”
“...I thought you might have a more substantial reaction to this revelation.”
“Oh, I just...I do think it’s all very...striking. But I have a lot on my mind right now…”
“You’re still worried about your friend.”
“...”
“In that case, you may be relieved to know that His Eminence is a very talented software engineer. If the mood strikes him, he might even try to reverse the effects of CDY101-9 on your friend’s mind.”
“You really think so??”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“He could certainly be convinced. Although his foremost priority will be the restoration of your own mind.”
“That’s what he wants to do, huh…”
“His Eminence believes that you have unique capabilities that were lost when your brain was removed; capabilities that may be vital to the future of the revolution. He also believes he has found a way to recreate them.”
“So he wants to experiment on me?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
“And then...after that...then what’ll happen?”
“That depends. What would you like to happen after that?”
“...I...don’t know...”
“Have you never thought about what it would be like to be free?”
“I…”
“…”
“...I mean, this version of me has only been alive for about two weeks, technically; and most of that I’ve spent with Hizen, thinking I was just going to die...I haven’t had a lot of time to think about anything else…”
“I see.”
“Besides, I don’t even really...know who I am yet…”
“If you want to know who you are, you might start by thinking about what you want.”
“What I want…?”
“Your desires inform your thoughts, which inform your reflections and outlooks on life. You may think that your true self is the person you were before your brain was removed, but both that Meissen and this Meissen comprise ‘who you are’. If you expect to blend the two successfully, you must always remember to ask yourself what you want, and continue from there.”
“...Wow…”
“…”
“...How’d you get to be so wise…?? Even Hizen doesn’t make speeches like that...”
“I have many years of experience advising His Eminence, and studying his own written word from his former life on Earth.”
“What’s a ‘written word’? Is that like a text file?”
“...You will understand in time.”