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Authors: Matt Myklusch
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Noteworthy’s direction. The newest member of the Inner Circle seemed unfazedby their disapproval, if he noticed it at all. “It’s obvious what’s going on here,” he went on. “Circlewoman Virtua has already hit upon it.
Former
Circleman Smart is bitter. We all know his business has suffered now that he no longer has the Peacemakers to act as his enforcers, or his SmartCams to spy on his competitors. This city has changed, and his inability to change with it has cost him. Rather than admit that to himself, he’s content to go on blaming this ruined boy. It’s sad, really.”
Noteworthy’s words surprised Jack.
“Ruined?”
he asked. “What do you mean, ruined?”
“Yes, Clarkston … what are you talking about?” Virtua asked, echoing Jack.
Noteworthy appeared to be surprised that his comment required any explanation at all. “Let’s be frank,” he explained. “Whatever good this boy might do in life, he’ll always remain infected…. He’ll always be tainted by an association with the Rüstov. Add to that a low-class upbringing in the Real World of all places, and you have a series of stains that no reputation can overcome.” Noteworthy turned to Jack and added, “No offense to you personally, Jack. It’s simply a fact.”
Jack frowned.
Sure. No offense
, he thought.
“That ‘fact’ means very little here,” Chi told Noteworthy. “We don’t all measure a life’s worth with the same ruler used in Hightown society.”
“There you go again,” Smart chimed in, shaking a finger at Chi. “Ignoring the truth about Jack. Ignoring the danger he represents.”
“So you keep telling us, Jonas,” Hovarth said. “But I daresay that your position seems more personal than anything else. A year ago you voted Jack into the School of Thought, and yet ever since you were voted out of office, you’ve done nothing but try and tear him down.”
“Meanwhile,” Virtua added, “your NewsNets spend all day telling everyone who is willing to listen—and even those of us who aren’t—how the new Inner Circle has done nothing but make the Imagine Nation less safe.”
“What did you expect?” Smart shot back. “You discontinued my policies. Policies that kept everyone safe for twelve years.”
“At what cost?” Stendeval asked. “Do the ends justify the means, Jonas?”
Smart scowled at Stendeval. “My policies may not be very popular anymore, but I don’t remember anyone complaining at the time.”
Virtua’s image flickered and then grew intensely bright. “No one was complaining because they either didn’t know about your policies or they were afraid to speak out! Like with the case of your secret prison in the Outlands of the Imagine Nation, and the brutal interrogations of innocent Mechas!”
“We’re getting off topic and delving into the realm of unsubstantiated rumor,” Smart said. “I don’t wish to validate these wild accusations, but I can assure you that if I
did
have a secret prison, no ‘brutal interrogations’ would have been conducted there. There perhaps would have been ‘prisoner interviews’ that utilized ‘extreme motivation techniques.’ Things like power deprivation, circuit-boarding, and other perfectly legal procedures. But that is all beside the point. The point is, we weren’t attacked by the Rüstov during my years on this Circle, and for that I will never apologize. I’m still working to make sure things stay that way, and I refuse to believe it’s a coincidence that Jack destroyed my means of doing so.”
Noteworthy studied Smart for a moment. “First of all, we
were
attacked during your tenure as a Circleman, Jonas. I seem to recall several incidents last year, including a battle with Revile that took place on the roof of your own building. Second, what is this Rüstov defense system you’re talking about?” he asked. “You have a bad history with this sort of thing. Forgive me if I’m not exactly comforted by the thought of you hard at
Former
Circleman Smart is bitter. We all know his business has suffered now that he no longer has the Peacemakers to act as his enforcers, or his SmartCams to spy on his competitors. This city has changed, and his inability to change with it has cost him. Rather than admit that to himself, he’s content to go on blaming this ruined boy. It’s sad, really.”
Noteworthy’s words surprised Jack.
“Ruined?”
he asked. “What do you mean, ruined?”
“Yes, Clarkston … what are you talking about?” Virtua asked, echoing Jack.
Noteworthy appeared to be surprised that his comment required any explanation at all. “Let’s be frank,” he explained. “Whatever good this boy might do in life, he’ll always remain infected…. He’ll always be tainted by an association with the Rüstov. Add to that a low-class upbringing in the Real World of all places, and you have a series of stains that no reputation can overcome.” Noteworthy turned to Jack and added, “No offense to you personally, Jack. It’s simply a fact.”
Jack frowned.
Sure. No offense
, he thought.
“That ‘fact’ means very little here,” Chi told Noteworthy. “We don’t all measure a life’s worth with the same ruler used in Hightown society.”
“There you go again,” Smart chimed in, shaking a finger at Chi. “Ignoring the truth about Jack. Ignoring the danger he represents.”
“So you keep telling us, Jonas,” Hovarth said. “But I daresay that your position seems more personal than anything else. A year ago you voted Jack into the School of Thought, and yet ever since you were voted out of office, you’ve done nothing but try and tear him down.”
“Meanwhile,” Virtua added, “your NewsNets spend all day telling everyone who is willing to listen—and even those of us who aren’t—how the new Inner Circle has done nothing but make the Imagine Nation less safe.”
“What did you expect?” Smart shot back. “You discontinued my policies. Policies that kept everyone safe for twelve years.”
“At what cost?” Stendeval asked. “Do the ends justify the means, Jonas?”
Smart scowled at Stendeval. “My policies may not be very popular anymore, but I don’t remember anyone complaining at the time.”
Virtua’s image flickered and then grew intensely bright. “No one was complaining because they either didn’t know about your policies or they were afraid to speak out! Like with the case of your secret prison in the Outlands of the Imagine Nation, and the brutal interrogations of innocent Mechas!”
“We’re getting off topic and delving into the realm of unsubstantiated rumor,” Smart said. “I don’t wish to validate these wild accusations, but I can assure you that if I
did
have a secret prison, no ‘brutal interrogations’ would have been conducted there. There perhaps would have been ‘prisoner interviews’ that utilized ‘extreme motivation techniques.’ Things like power deprivation, circuit-boarding, and other perfectly legal procedures. But that is all beside the point. The point is, we weren’t attacked by the Rüstov during my years on this Circle, and for that I will never apologize. I’m still working to make sure things stay that way, and I refuse to believe it’s a coincidence that Jack destroyed my means of doing so.”
Noteworthy studied Smart for a moment. “First of all, we
were
attacked during your tenure as a Circleman, Jonas. I seem to recall several incidents last year, including a battle with Revile that took place on the roof of your own building. Second, what is this Rüstov defense system you’re talking about?” he asked. “You have a bad history with this sort of thing. Forgive me if I’m not exactly comforted by the thought of you hard at
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