Eden's Jester (2 page)

The proximity of Aeson to Diomedes was being noticed. Two very senior leaders of important Disciplines making small talk was a spectacle, I guess.

The DMZ around my corner was shrinking as the crowd began to congregate in my once peaceful portion of the room. The conversation was no longer private, a change not lost on Diomedes and Aeson.
 

“Indeed. I fear the progress of the region as a whole would not be viewed favorably by the Designers, if they were to return. However, it is a situation that I am sure your Discipline can correct in short order,” Diomedes said.

Aeson ignored the minor slight and turned to face me. “True. And the heavens know that we’ve considered the problem in detail. But the prince of America is not receptive to my counsel, for reasons beyond my comprehension.”

“Melanthios keeps his own counsel, Aeson. He always has,” Diomedes said.
 

I made my best poker face, pretending ignorance. Being innocuous was the best way to avoid unfortunate scrutiny by someone of Aeson’s rank. Fortunately, Diomedes changed the subject.
 

“In any case, what is the purpose of your Gathering, Aeson? Announcing a new development, perhaps?”

Aeson turned to survey the Gathering of senior Engineers from various Disciplines and domains. Apparently, everyone he cared about was present.
 

“Yes, I believe it’s time.” Aeson swept his arm in a wide arc. “Let’s begin, shall we?”
 

He turned without giving me a second look and walked onto a marble dais at the other end of the room. Soft light began to radiate from within him and he became translucent. A greenish-brown aura surrounded his now slightly larger frame. The sound of gentle chimes tinkled from nowhere and everywhere. It was a glorious display of colors and tones signaling the official commencement of the proclamation portion of the Gathering.
 

Aeson’s voice was not loud, but penetrated every inch of the room.
 

“Friends and co-laborers in our great Endeavor: As you know, it’s been our custom, since ages past, to reveal to one another significant plans and discoveries in order that we might excel all the more in performing our function in this world and our duty to the Designers as handed down to us through the Preceptors, who safeguard our Doctrines. To that end, we are announcing today an initiative to experiment with social decentralization.”

I scanned the crowd. Some smiled politely, others glared. One, a cinnamon-skinned girl with chocolate hair hid knit brows behind an empty champagne glass. She wore a linen-white dress that was simple, almost rural. Her eyes bore into Aeson as he spoke. Another Engineer stood slightly behind her and to one side. His longer hair and narrow glasses hinted at European style. He stood with his arms tightly hugging his trim black suit, frowning.
 

Aeson continued. “While cities create a certain critical mass needed to accelerate scientific advancements and the creation of wealth, we in Society believe that this time has passed. Cities now represent centers of harm, waste, fear, and vulnerability. By decentralizing the cities, and returning to a rural distribution of the humans, we offer several advances.
 

“Collaboration will be virtual, via technology, so travel time and resource use will diminish, leaving more of those valuable commodities for advancement in other areas.
 

“Communities will be smaller with greater distance between them. They will be sized to enable a person to walk to fulfill every need. Their small size and greater geographic distribution will make them unable and unwilling to compete against one another, so the whole should stay healthier. These factors, combined with the natural decrease in suffering experienced by smaller communities, will make them more secure in perception and in reality.”

The cinnamon girl glanced over at me, turning her head almost imperceptibly. I smiled and inclined my head in greeting. In that moment I saw a glimmer of recognition in her eyes. I was sure we hadn’t met before. Pretty sure, anyway. She turned her attention back to the speech.

Aeson continued. “Inter-community travel will be primarily via mass transit. Much of the road system can be decommissioned and replaced by rail to promote the abandonment of private vehicle use.
 

“A strong central government should be maintained to enforce these guidelines and to ensure that we don’t return to the abuses perpetrated by the city-states of ancient Greece.

“It is our hope that, by advancing in this way, this world can achieve a new level of sophistication, peace, prosperity, and enlightenment not seen from the beginning until now.” Aeson paused and seemed to contemplate what he had said.
 

The cinnamon girl spoke up.
 

“It is an intriguing suggestion, Aeson. Where would you propose to do such an experiment, for validation?” Her tone was neutral, measured.

Aeson smiled that smile. “Melia, I am glad that the Discipline of Art is represented this evening. There are several requirements for such a place. The communication infrastructure must be sufficiently advanced to enable the level of collaboration necessary. The region must have stability and wealth to ensure a successful transition. The populace must be flexible and open to new ideas. It has to have a history of the values of community and family, as these will be the great reward. I only know of three domains that meet these criteria. We have selected the North American domain, as it has proven great resilience to failed experiments.”
 

“As Detroit has proven, no doubt,” Diomedes whispered in my ear. I gave him a sour look.

There was a general murmur of assent among the Engineers. Melia spoke again. “And how will the experiment be conducted?”

“Those details have not been finalized as yet,” Aeson said.

“In other words, ‘it’s a secret,’” I whispered.

Aeson went on. “But, as custom dictates, we will call another Gathering before we embark on this enterprise.”

“In other words, ‘I’m lying. We’ve already started,’” I whispered.

“I see Melanthios is not here. It is his domain. What is his judgment?” asked the European-styled Engineer close behind Melia.

“The development is in his domain’s best interest, as I’m sure everyone can see. But we have not yet come to an agreement with him concerning the details,” Aeson said.

“In other words, he either hates it or is suspicious of Aeson’s motives,” I whispered to Diomedes.
 

“Why so?” asked Diomedes. Diomedes wasn’t the kind to ask questions he didn’t already know the answers to, but sometimes he could be naïve.

“Because Aeson is full of it. Because Aeson is committed to evolution through competition, not collaboration. He’s Chaos, after all. The only collaboration he likes is the gang-up-on-the-weak type of collaboration. And, unless by ‘North America’ he really means ‘Canada,’ such an experiment would be very difficult. The United States has lots of inertia and mass. The UK would have been a better choice if he wanted quick validation. Something’s afoot.”

“But I assume you will support his proposal, nonetheless.”

“Of course I will,” I said. “Why wouldn’t I?”
 

“Well, I suppose the ancient virtues of honesty, honor, and integrity might be considered reasons.”

“Those aren’t reasons, Diomedes. They’re overhead.”

“I thought as much,” Diomedes said with a trace of disapproval. The senior Engineer was as pure and forthright as he was on the day of his creation.
 

“I fear for Aeson, then. For I have come to understand that no one can make such a mess as you, when you put your mind to it.”

“It’s a gift,” I said.

“Tell me, Elson, what has Aeson done to you to warrant such persistent attention? You seem to be nearly obsessed with him at times. If you were simply after those faithful to Chaos, there are several who excel more in that regard. I would gladly supply a list of names, in fact. But why Aeson?”

I thought about it. Aeson’s affiliation with Chaos didn’t bother me. I had no problem with evolution through stirring the pot. No. It wasn’t that. It was difficult to describe, but I had this sense that he was very bad. I couldn’t remember. Whatever it was, it was very long ago. Aeson had done something over the top a long time ago, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
 

“I don’t know what it is, really. But every time I hear about him doing something the little voice inside my head screams that he’s crossing the line. Then I get this urge to mess with him,” I said. I looked at Aeson. He was so oily. “Can’t prove it. But I think he’s worse than the others. More dangerous.”

“An interesting assessment. I think that you do not merely have a problem with his power, but your inner being rebels at the idea of authority. You are a rebel of the first order.”

Diomedes was of Law, and Law didn’t like rebels. Collaboration (i.e., compliance) was their game. I wasn’t of either Law or Chaos, which was why few ever spoke to me. Diomedes must have a hidden liberal streak, I thought.

“I don’t like Engineers messing with things they shouldn’t. You know me--I love to screw with balance, wherever I find it. But he tips things too far.”

“Hmm. I don’t think you understand the full implication of your words, Elson.”

“Ha. Like you’ve never said that before.”

“No no. I don’t mean you are not intelligent. Far from it. I simply believe you are feeling and declaring truths that are profound beyond your present capacity to grasp them.” Diomedes paused for a moment before he spoke again. “Can I give you some advice, my friend?”

“Sure.”

“Never forget--never--that Aeson is a master of the game of chess. His actions are deliberate, well planned, and often done to mislead, if for no other reason. His plans are rarely what they seem, nor are they without layers of contingency.”
 

“Sounds like you’ve studied him,” I said. “What do you think of this scheme of his?”

Diomedes put a gentle hand on my shoulder. His smiled, but his eyes were sad. “I also play chess, Elson.” He squeezed my shoulder and turned away.

After a few more minutes of harmless questions and answers from the guests, Aeson called for support. The support of the Gathering was not required, in the strict sense. But tradition is clear that we work together in the Endeavor. Appearances must be maintained, I guess.
 

Each Engineer approached the dais to bestow or withhold his blessing. Engineer after Engineer expressed their support of Aeson.

When it was my turn, I approached the dais and bowed, slightly.

“Sounds just dandy, Aeson. Call me if you need any help,” I said.

He rolled his eyes.
 

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary, Elson. But thanks for your support.”
 

He looked behind me, at Diomedes, who was last. I had been dismissed.

As Diomedes approached the dais, instead of simply speaking his support, he stepped up onto the dais and faced Aeson. As he did so, he too became somewhat translucent and began to emanate an aura of deep blue and gold. He spoke simply, but clearly.
 

“Aeson, I oppose you and your company. May you falter at every step. May you gather enemies from unknown places, and the slightest thorn grow to become a stake through your heart. May your allies become feeble and scatter. In the name of all who shepherd humanity, I oppose what you intend to do.”

Aeson’s aura dimmed. He stammered. For a curse to come from such a senior Engineer meant trouble. It did seem kind of harsh, even to me. Diomedes was even-tempered and thoughtful. This was way out there for him.
 

Everyone watched to see how Aeson would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. He quickly recovered.
 

“Diomedes, your judgment is honored as you are an Engineer of renown. May I ask your reasoning?”

“I have spoken. That is all I will say.”

Now that’s entertainment.

CHAPTER TWO

I sat in the dirt with my back resting comfortably against a pile of fine sand. Lights from town trickled across the mounds and cone-shaped piles of the gravel pit, revealing a black horizon jagged with irregular, unnatural shapes. The clean air and stretch of sand could have been those of an Egypt four thousand years gone. Stillness blanketed my mind; all was quiet in the pit.

The emptiness of a small quarry pooled at my feet. The sides were lined with vertical scars from drilling equipment. Oxford, Michigan was the gravel capital of the world. Ice Age glaciers ground mountains of granite into pebbles, leaving them here for men to unearth and refashion into roads and buildings. But all was quiet now. The men left not long after the glaciers, in the grand scheme of things.

The nearby town, lying just beyond the hills, was made of the same stuff from the pits. But the miners had abandoned the quarry at my feet soon after they started. Less than fifty feet down their equipment struck solid stone—stone so old and hard that it turned back their drills and dynamite. Its white-veined black dome still lay exposed.

I watched the stone patiently. The rock at the bottom of the quarry was only the tip of the thing. Its core stretched deep into the earth. I had no idea exactly how far, but I knew it was near the mantle. And it was old.