Read Online Earth Song: Etude to War by Mark Wandrey - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Mark Wandrey
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grandiose proclamations would be summarily dismissed, were they to come from almost any being other than a Tog. They might be able to lie with the best of them, but flights of fancy or melodrama were completely beyond them. If a Tog seemed mad, it was mad. If a Tog appeared excited, there must be something exciting going on. And if a Tog acted scared, you’d best seek cover.
“At the very least, you have to tell me what this Awakening is.”
“It is the removal of all computer blocks to your species, allowing complete unfettered access to the Concordian data network. It is the ability to engage in any venture or contract with another species regardless of the implications to your guardians. It is the release to seek leaseholds and to pursue war as you wish. And that is because your guardians are no longer your guardians.
“And finally it means you will discover certain truths that only Awakened species are allowed to know. Secrets that are kept from all un-Awakened species that are the deepest most sacred law in the Concordia. As I said, this isn’t something you might wish for. Humanity is a fragile species, if also powerful and brave. Many young beings such as yourself do not survive their Awakening. And that is the reason it is our highest law, that only the species' guardian can bestow that blessing, that curse, that horrible gift of freedom and set you loose upon the galaxy. Or… set them loose upon you.’
She took it all in without blinking. “What if I were to demand Awakening?”
“That is a most unwise decision.” Minu was about to continue when hse cut her off. “It is the purview of the clients' guardians, ourselves of course, to make the determination that you are ready. None other can make that decision, not even the ruling council of the High Concordia on Nexus could take that from us, unless our light were somehow put out from the universe. However, it is not without precedent that a species demands its own Awakening, and Concordia law supports this decision while simultaneously cautioning against it in the strongest of terms.”
‘And what about the debt we owe to you, our guardians, for rescuing us from our fate.”
“There is no debt.’
“What?”
“I said there is no debt. It is part of the Awakening. For some species, there is a debt registered with the Concordia for a rescue, but it is up to the guardians to decide this. No formal law exists. We have never registered a debt against Humanity.”
“Then why?” she almost cried. “You've held that debt over our heads for more than a century, demanding our service and obedience. For what then?”
“As I said, it has to do with the Awakening. What is needed more than anything else is time. What you have earned for us, with some small exception, will all be returned to you, with interest.”
“So we were simply your servants?”
P’ing didn’t answer, but just waited. The afternoon dim light outside shone through windows making hser eyes glimmer.
“How do we make the formal request for Awakening?”
“The highest ranking member appointed by a client species to represent them in matters before their guardians must make that claim on their behalf, and in their best interests.”
The room felt like it was slowly draining of air. In years of service she’d never backed down from a challenge, never failed to face death when it came calling, and never made a gamble that didn’t pay off, though not always the way she’d planned it. But she'd never been faced with a decision that affected more than herself or a few hundred others. Never an entire planet full of her own people. “I am the highest representative of Humanity.”
“You have been promoted and left this post.”
“I was promoted, but the post remains mine. The formal description of the position states that the current office holder retains title until his or her replacement is named. No replacement has been named. The decision is mine to make.
P’ing stared
“At the very least, you have to tell me what this Awakening is.”
“It is the removal of all computer blocks to your species, allowing complete unfettered access to the Concordian data network. It is the ability to engage in any venture or contract with another species regardless of the implications to your guardians. It is the release to seek leaseholds and to pursue war as you wish. And that is because your guardians are no longer your guardians.
“And finally it means you will discover certain truths that only Awakened species are allowed to know. Secrets that are kept from all un-Awakened species that are the deepest most sacred law in the Concordia. As I said, this isn’t something you might wish for. Humanity is a fragile species, if also powerful and brave. Many young beings such as yourself do not survive their Awakening. And that is the reason it is our highest law, that only the species' guardian can bestow that blessing, that curse, that horrible gift of freedom and set you loose upon the galaxy. Or… set them loose upon you.’
She took it all in without blinking. “What if I were to demand Awakening?”
“That is a most unwise decision.” Minu was about to continue when hse cut her off. “It is the purview of the clients' guardians, ourselves of course, to make the determination that you are ready. None other can make that decision, not even the ruling council of the High Concordia on Nexus could take that from us, unless our light were somehow put out from the universe. However, it is not without precedent that a species demands its own Awakening, and Concordia law supports this decision while simultaneously cautioning against it in the strongest of terms.”
‘And what about the debt we owe to you, our guardians, for rescuing us from our fate.”
“There is no debt.’
“What?”
“I said there is no debt. It is part of the Awakening. For some species, there is a debt registered with the Concordia for a rescue, but it is up to the guardians to decide this. No formal law exists. We have never registered a debt against Humanity.”
“Then why?” she almost cried. “You've held that debt over our heads for more than a century, demanding our service and obedience. For what then?”
“As I said, it has to do with the Awakening. What is needed more than anything else is time. What you have earned for us, with some small exception, will all be returned to you, with interest.”
“So we were simply your servants?”
P’ing didn’t answer, but just waited. The afternoon dim light outside shone through windows making hser eyes glimmer.
“How do we make the formal request for Awakening?”
“The highest ranking member appointed by a client species to represent them in matters before their guardians must make that claim on their behalf, and in their best interests.”
The room felt like it was slowly draining of air. In years of service she’d never backed down from a challenge, never failed to face death when it came calling, and never made a gamble that didn’t pay off, though not always the way she’d planned it. But she'd never been faced with a decision that affected more than herself or a few hundred others. Never an entire planet full of her own people. “I am the highest representative of Humanity.”
“You have been promoted and left this post.”
“I was promoted, but the post remains mine. The formal description of the position states that the current office holder retains title until his or her replacement is named. No replacement has been named. The decision is mine to make.
P’ing stared
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