Binary by Jay Caselberg (best short books to read txt) 📖

them carefully. He made one or two adjustments, repositioned a unit here and there and then rethought the composition of one of the groupings before pressing the sequence to start the game. He didn't know how old the program was, but it was one of the few non-utilitarian things saved from the wreckage of some of the first colony ships. He'd only discovered it by chance when trawling through some of the old records. One day, maybe, they'd be in a position again to have such things, to have them generally available, but such a time was not yet. Until then, he would use his own position within the Guild hierarchy to get whatever he could. He scratched the back of his head, grimaced, made another adjustment, and then finally satisfied with the composition of his forces, keyed the sequence to start the game.

Jarid was still playing when Markis finally arrived, looking hot and flustered. He hung on the doorframe slightly out of breath. Dust from the mines was still on his clothes. Good, he'd wasted no time at all getting back. Jarid nodded once, glanced back at the screen, determined that he had a good position and took his time checking his decision was right, before pressing to save the scenario. He'd recall the game later.

"By the Twins, Jarid. You call me back here for some mystery, the least you can do is give me more attention than your bloody game."

Jarid swiveled his chair to face the door. "No, Markis, you're right. I'm sorry. Come in." He waved a hand. "You'd better close the door behind you."

Markis did so and crossed to sit nearby. Taking a position on the edge of the couch, he smoothed his trousers, then his sleeves, wiping away some of the dust. Jarid waited, watching. He could see some of himself in Markis's face, but they were different, clearly different.

"Jarid, will you just cut playing with me? I'm not one of your damned games." His annoyance was clear on his face.

"No, you're not, Markis. And if you've quite finished spreading dirt all over my couch, you might give me your proper attention. You have to realize that this is all a game when it comes down to it. Especially where Father is concerned. It's all politics, and you damn well know it, whether you want to admit it or not."

"Yes, so what? I can get on without getting tied up in all that. There are things we have to do."

"But you want to be in a position to be able to do them, don't you?" Jarid leaned forward.

A flicker of confusion, and then a frown. "What do you mean?"

"What I told you on the communicator. Someone's been at Father, making accusations. They've convinced him that you're involved in some plan to agitate the Kallathik and seize power in the Guild."

"Who? What?" Markis got to his feet, looking aggrieved. "That makes no sense at all."

"I don't think that matters. What matters is that the old man believes it. Whatever was said was convincing enough to sway him."

"But that's ridiculous. How could he possibly think -- ?"

Jarid raised a hand. "It doesn't matter. Sit down, Markis. What matters is that he does think it."

"But I've done nothing!"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. Who, Jarid? Who?" Markis bunched his fists, looking around the room as if seeking someone to strike. "Who would want to do this to me?"

"Just sit down, Markis. You're not going to achieve anything getting all worked up like that. We have to approach this calmly."

Slowly, Markis relaxed his fists and then sighed. "Yes, you're right. I'm just tired." He lowered himself to sit on the couch again. "Tell me, how bad is it?"

"Bad enough. Father's talking about removing you from the current operations. You know how he gets. Once he's got an idea..."

Markis made to stand again, but Jarid gestured for him to stay.

"What good is it sitting here?" said Markis. "I have to talk to him."

"No you don't. You know you can trust me to look after things at this end. I just don't think it would be a good idea to see him right now. You know Father; he's liable to do something rash. No, I think it would be better if you let me handle him. If you can trust me to do so, that is? You do trust me, don't you, Markis?"

Markis nodded slowly. "But then what should I do?"

"You should go somewhere out of the way for the moment. Get down to one of the estates, out of the mines and out of the city. You've probably done enough to make sure everything's running smoothly at the mines. I'll wait for the old man to calm down, and then I'll choose my moment, get him alone and talk to him quietly. We'll stay in communication with each other, as much as we can, and I'll let you know when it's safe to face him yourself. This is clearly something from within the Guild. Someone is taking the opportunity of the current instability to make their move. Leave me to deal with Father and to find out who, and that way you'll be out of direct line. I think that's safer."

Markis shook his head. "You drag me in here just to tell me to go away again?"

"I know," said Jarid. "But it was the only way, Markis. You have to see that. The only way I could convince you how serious things were was to talk to you face to face."

Markis did stand this time. He crossed and placed his hand on Jarid's shoulder. "You were always better at this stuff than I was, Jarid. I think what you're saying makes sense. We need to be able to stand together whatever happens. There are difficult times on their way, I know it. It looks like we're in for a rough season. If you're sure I shouldn't talk to Father�"

Jarid looked up at his brother's face, the expression of concern, the tinge of hope. The poor gullible fool.

"Trust me, Markis," he said. "I know we're in for a rough time. Don't worry. I'll fix things at this end. Now, go, make yourself comfortable at the estates. This shouldn't take too long."

"Thank you, Jarid."

"No, Markis. It's what we have to do. Oh, one last thing, though...did anyone see you arriving?"

Markis frowned again and thought. "I don't...well, yes. They saw me drive in at the gates. There was someone on the front desk. Yes, yes, I suppose so."

"No matter. But you'd better get going before someone important sees you're here. Get to the estates as quickly as you can, and I'll cover things here."

Markis gave his shoulder a brief squeeze. "Thank you again, Jarid."

"Just go," he said.

Markis crossed the room and, giving one last backward glance and nod before closing the door behind him, he left. Jarid waited a few moments then stood and crossed to the window. He spotted his brother's groundcar and noted with satisfaction as it sped out the gates. Markis was right though, and he should have thought things through a little better. He'd nearly ruined the whole thing. He thought he'd managed to cover it though.

"Now we start," he said quietly to himself.

Eleven

"Principal, I'm not sure that this is wise," said Witness Kovaar quietly. His gaunt features seemed even more shadowed than usual, even allowing for the fading light. Men Darnak peered at him.

"And why is that, Priest?"

"I don't know what benefit you hope to achieve. If you want the Principate to function properly, you must let the children start to make their own way. Interfering in what they're doing is going to do nothing more than unsettle that process."

Men Darnak snorted and the padder shuffled nervously beneath him. "Interfering is it now?" He shrugged off Witness Kovaar's look. "Do you not think I know what I'm doing? Whose children are they anyway?"

They stood before the outer gates of Karin's private holdings. Broad sand-colored walls swept off to either side, too high to see beyond at this angle. Behind them lay outbuildings, stables, the main residence, all concealed from direct view. What went on behind these walls generally remained a mystery to the general population. The holdings were self-sufficient, enough to outlast even the worst that Storm Season could throw at them. There was no sign of life near the main gates, nor beyond. Men Darnak chewed at his bottom lip, frustrated at the lack of response. The animals were starting to become restless. He glanced up at the threatening sky, and then motioned to one of the men behind him.

"Go and see if you can stir up some action. We stay out here any longer and it's going to come down on our heads." As if to underline his words, there was a rumble in the distance and a quick gust blew his cloak around him, slapping against the padder's sides.

The man dismounted and strode to the gate, reaching for the entry-phone. He spoke quietly and stood back, allowing the camera to focus on him.

"I still don't think this is a good idea, Principal," said Witness Kovaar quietly.

Men Darnak snorted again and returned his attention to the gates. "Why is there no one in attendance? Most strange. This is not the time of year to leave things unwatched."

The man at the gate nodded, and then turned back to the intercom. There was another exchange, and he turned. He did not look pleased. "They say we have to wait."

"They what!"

"Principal..."

"Don't they know who we are?"

"Yes, Principal," said the man at the gate.

"They said someone would be along to let us through in due course."

"Dammit, man. What do they expect us to do -- remain out here and get blown away?" He shook his head.

"I don't know, Principal."

Witness Kovaar maneuvered his beast closer and placed a restraining hand on his arm. "Patience, Principal. There will be someone here. Perhaps we should reconsider."

Men Darnak shook off the Priest's hand and moved his own padder two steps forward, then growled deep in his throat. There had to be something diverting his daughter's staff. Perhaps it was the preparations. He hadn't been expected, after all. Still, it was most unlike Karin to behave like this. He would have words with her later. He glanced up at the sky again trying to judge how long it would be before the threatening rain arrived. The clouds were definitely feeling heavier, grayer and there was a charge present in the air around him, prickling his senses. Curse the girl; he was not used to having to wait. He shifted again in his saddle. Something must be holding them up, some problem with the household preparations that required her personal oversight. In any case, he would talk to her about her staff.

"Witness Kovaar, will you go and see what the delay is?"

The Priest gave him a long steady look, saying nothing, but sat where he was.

"Did you not hear me, Priest?"

Any response was forestalled by the appearance of one of Karin's own people at the gate. The man stepped through the small side door and motioned the party forward, as the broad gates swung inward. Men Darnak frowned at the man as he urged his padder past, but the uniformed functionary returned the gaze unflinchingly. Men Darnak shook his head and turned away, his jaw clamped tight.

Leannis Men Darnak had equipped all of his children well. Their property holdings extended over broad rich land, many-roomed dwellings sprawling across the inner enclosures. There were separate quarters for stabling, and for living quarters to accommodate the many household staff.