Dark Foundations by Chris Walley Read Free Book Online

recommendations of the Council of High Stewards on how we should respond to the events at Farholme. Every world will be represented.”
    â€œEven Farholme?” Andreas asked.
    â€œYes, their steward was offworld when the Gate loss occurred. And, as you also know, it seems certain that these . . . momentous proposals will be approved.”
    Eliza shook her head and Andreas nodded slightly; yet both gestures expressed a common concern. “And because they are so awesome, I want to talk through some of them with you. But first, let’s pray.”
    And so, lit by the dappled yellow sunlight filtering through the vast spreading branches, they prayed for wisdom and guidance.
    When they had ended their prayers, Ethan sat back in his seat. “Perhaps there is a blessing in the way perilous times force us to rely on the one who is the true head of the Assembly.” There were sounds of assent. “Now, my friends, my first issue is this. If, as seems almost certain, the recommendations I put forward are accepted, then everything we are as the Assembly changes—now and for the foreseeable future. So, in view of the momentous nature of my statement, can I be totally sure of the ground on which I stand?”
    â€œ Momentous is a word that is often overused, but not in this case,” murmured Andreas.
    Eliza said nothing. Somewhere in the woods a woodpecker drummed.
    Ethan continued. “As you know, my background is engineering: a notoriously focused and perhaps narrow-minded discipline. I need wise friends like you to help me see more than I can.” He picked up a folder from beside his chair, took out three small pieces of paper, and distributed them.
    â€œThree dozen words apparently from a man whom only Eliza has ever met, on a world that is—or was— a byword for remoteness.”
    â€œFarholme,” Eliza said and shook her head in an expression of disbelief.
    â€œAnd transmitted by a method few of us understand,” Andreas added.
    Eliza grunted agreement.
    â€œI’m only a little wiser on this matter of quantum-linked photons,” Ethan said, “but it seems to have worked. Now, I know you know every word by heart, but let me read this again. ‘Farholme Gate destruction not an accident but sabotage by non-Assembly forces. Evidence of genetically modified humans, superior technology, and hostile intent. Intruder presence associated with a corrupting spiritual evil. Arm the Assembly! Verofaza Laertes Enand, Sentinel.’”
    There was an uneasy silence. Andreas creased his brow and knit his fingers together. Eliza stared at the paper, her face inscrutable.
    Ethan continued. “You know the story. It was apparently transmitted by a Dr. Gerrana Anna Habbentz on Farholme to Dr. Amin Ferraldo Ryhan on Tahmolan. We believe it was sent mere days after the Gate was destroyed. And, of course, we have no way of communicating with Farholme to confirm its truth, except through transmissions at light speed and that of course means decades of waiting. Any dissent on that background?”
    Andreas shook his head. “Not from me.”
    â€œNo,” said Eliza. “Incidentally, Eeth, there is a typically sentinel take on this. This is either a genuine message about the return of evil, or it is a fake. If it is a fake, it is so malicious that it demonstrates that evil has indeed returned.”
    â€œI’m glad you are here, Eliza. My brain is strictly linear,” Ethan replied. “But a dozen teams have studied this and all conclude that this is an authentic message of a genuine threat. So I must act on it.” Ethan sipped his drink and then looked in turn at his guests.
    â€œBut there is other evidence,” Eliza said with a quiet insistence.
    She seems uneasy . “Yes,” Ethan answered. “Engineering. There is a vast interchange of data between any two Gates when a ship passes between them. So the Bannermene Gate received detailed