Read Online Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer - Free Book Online Page B

generations of gendered culture. We around her—from my weak self to the gaping guards—grew up with no inoculation against this pox we thought our ancestors had vanquished. Movies and histories gave us just enough exposure to learn these ancient cues, weakness without resistance, and we can no more unlearn them than you could unlearn your alphabet when facing an unwelcome word.
    Andō took control now, stepping forward so his shadow fell across me. 「 You will write up everything you know about the smugglers you bought the packaging from. Thirteen years ago is not beyond the possibility of reconstruction. 」
    ã€Œ Yes, Chief Director. 」
    ã€Œ I hold you responsible for this. If you had made it known in the first place that the device was still in dangerous hands, I would have worked to track it down. I expect a prompt solution if you want me to conceal this … error … from the Commissioner General. 」
    So fast, the price of my indiscretion. 「 I understand, Chief Director. I will take responsibility. Should I report my findings to Martin, or to you? 」
    He weighed that for a breath. 「 Did these smugglers have a nation-strat? 」
    ã€Œ Japanese, Chief Director. I suspect the original thieves were Japanese as well. 」 I hesitated, but it was better now to say things openly. 「 Like its makers. 」
    His face both darkened and calmed. 「 Then bring the report to me first. Martin I trust, but, within the strat, my own inquiries will open more doors than a Mason’s. 」
    ã€Œ Yes, Chief Director. 」
    He peered down at me. 「 Who do you think had the Canner Device built in the first place? 」
    ã€Œ Please don’t call it that. 」
    More firmly, 「 Who had the Canner Device built? 」
    I kept my eyes on the floor. 「 I know you are innocent, Chief Director. 」
    ã€Œ That isn’t what I asked. 」
    I squeezed my hat. 「 I believe the project was ordered by the previous head of the Japanese voting bloc, but your predecessor’s guilt doesn’t make you guilty. 」
    ã€Œ It will in China’s eyes, 」 he snapped. 「 In India’s, Korea’s. In the other Hives’. The accusation alone would be enough to shatter the strat’s hopes, and without a strong Japan the Hive will go back to being brawled over by Shanghai and Beijing, not just at the next board selection, but for a generation. 」
    ã€Œ You think one of the Chinese blocs planned this? 」
    ã€Œ To scare the world with what the device we made can do. 」
    It was a possibility, now that I mulled it over. The thief must have folded the stolen paper around the device on purpose, to let us know they had it. In my selfish panic I had assumed they only meant to target me, not the greater forces that had created the Gyges Device—that’s what I call it in my mind, after the invisibility ring from Plato’s fable, which tempts even the most virtuous to crime.
    ã€Œ Bury this, Mycroft, 」 Andō ordered. 「 You have Martin’s ear, and the Commissioner General’s. Bury this before it plunges the Hive back into Chinese monopoly for another fifty years. 」
    ã€Œ I’ll do my best, Chief Director. 」
    ã€Œ And keep Tai-kun away from the members of the Saneer-Weeksbooth bash’. 」
    You may not recognize this Mitsubishi nickname, reader, but by ‘Tai-kun’ Andō means the Head of Martin’s team, J.E.D.D. Mason. Since there are too many reasons for Andō’s nervousness to list here, I will say simply that J.E.D.D. Mason is trusted of Andō, trusted like a son, but still a bit too close to Martin’s Emperor.
    ã€Œ I’ll do my best, Chief Director, but you know I only serve, I have no power to decide. 」
    Danaë broke in, 「 We know you’ll always do your best for us, good Mycroft. 」 I can’t express quite how,