Read Online Steelheart by William C. Dietz - Free Book Online Page A

tell me, Brother Parly—how does the valley fare?"
    Parly was well aware of the fact that Crono had spies within his flock, and had gone to considerable lengths to uncover their identities and curry favor with them. A prudent activity that paid consistent dividends. He stretched his feet toward the fire. They were huge and difficult to warm. He picked his words with care.
    "The gift of eternal winter has done much to sharpen our sense of appreciation for seasons gone by.... Still, we make do, and with rare exceptions, five in God's harmony."
    "Yes, you do," Crono said agreeably, and meant it too, for in spite of his weaknesses, Parly was more competent than many, and, with the exception of his rather obvious gluttony, a good example to his flock. A little fear did wonders, however—and would provide the monk with something to meditate on. "Realizing that even the most remote members of our order must deal with difficult questions. The Raswa plow being an excellent example."
    Parly's eye slid sideways, then back toward the fire. Damn Mother Orlow anyway .... Crono was far too intelligent to believe everything the old hag said, but exceedingly conservative, and capable of righteous excess. "Yes, a delicate matter, that. Still, all's well that ends well."
    Crono stared into the flames. "And the lad? How is he?" Parly paid close attention. The priest was up to something ... but what? "Solly is well behaved—but a curious sort, forever asking questions."
    Crono looked up from the fire. His eye was hard as stone. "A bright lad, then ... full of mischief."
    Parly didn't think of Solly as mischievous—the youngster was far too serious for that—but nodded anyway. "A bright lad, yes."
    "Bright enough to be a monk?"
    The question startled Parly, partly because it was so completely unexpected, and partly because the idea should have been his. Smart young males, those with incipient leadership potential, were routinely removed from the villages and channeled into monasteries, where they could be formed, shaped, and if necessary, eliminated. "Spiritual culling," as it was sometimes called, ensured social stability. "Yes, bright enough to be a monk. I should have thought of it."
    Crono knew the humility was genuine and smiled. "It is written that 'familiarity hides virtue' and that 'novelty conceals truth.' Who's to say which illuminates our way? Can the family pay?"
    Parly shook his head. "No, they are too poor."
    Crono shrugged. ' 'Merit pays its own way. Send for Solly ... we leave within the drol."
    Parly stood and lumbered toward the door. That particular day's messenger, a ten-year-old female, sat huddled outside. He was halfway across the room when the priest spoke again. "And, Brother Parly..."
    "Yes?"
    "When the column is gone ... destroy the plow."
    Â 

 

 
    6
    Â 
    de' mon / n / a person or thing regarded as evil
    Â 
    Â 
    Two micro sats, both created by the Eye of God's onboard nano, started to close in. There was no way to know what to expect, whether they were armed with lasers, stylus-sized missiles, or contact mines.
    The sentient spy sat known as Michael had successfully defended himself against such threats before, but still felt afraid. Or did he? Was his fear equivalent to what humans experienced? Or was their fear, which flowed from biological imperatives, somehow superior?
    No, Michael cautioned himself, mortal combat is not the time for self-doubt.
    The micro sats were far too stupid to worry about such matters. They locked onto the designated target and fired their steering jets.
    Michael checked to ensure that his defensive weaponry was ready, verified that it was, and waited for the distance to close.
    The micro sats parted company, chose separate vectors, and armed their onboard mines.
    Michael, who had the capacity to perceive external reality in dozens of different ways, had chosen to center his being within a gridwork globe. The micro sats appeared as horned devil icons with