The Valkyries of Andromeda

CHAPTER TWO

  Wanliet and I went on the balcony to talk where the view was grand. Behind us were more mountains, so before us the plain sloped down and away, sandy and stony nearby, then misty and green in the distance. At our feet was Solip City, everything very new-looking of course, and built to impress, with boulevards arcing around us, and avenues leading directly to us and the P. U. building we were staying in.

  Looking right and left I saw ours was the largest balcony, which meant that, even though it was a private balcony, it was also a very public balcony, actually more of a verandah. We paraded a bit, up and back, and after a while I noticed a small crowd had gathered below and was staring, and swelling, and pointing. I hate being the center of attention, so I took the inboard side and let W ham it up.

  “That went rather well, I thought,” I offered non-committally.

  “You worry too much, Daskal” he answered, beaming and waving down to the growing throng.

  “Somebody has to. You just figure everything will work out because it has so far. But it’s only worked out so far because I’ve been thinking and analyzing and planning.”

  “I could say the same to you. For all your thinking, you still don’t know what’s going on here, really. As for planning, I know you were playing that entirely by ear in there” he blew kisses to some of the more comely ladies. And, to be fair, some of the not-so-comely because it’s hard to accurately target those things, and all got a tremendous thriggle, which is a combination of a thrill and a giggle. “And as for your analyzing, explain to me where we are, how we will leave, who’s this An-Tine character, and what’s going on with Aspe and Sirah?” He raised his arms in benediction and smiled down.

  When he wanted to Wanliet could be blunt. “So I should just wing it? Do you need reminding of the stakes we’re playing for?”

  “No, no need for that deed. But realize that sooner or later this will all fall apart, it’s the nature of things, our center cannot hold, and it’s only your moment-to-moment savvy and intuition that will save us. So keep fresh, meditate, and relax and enjoy some, too. We have a big dinner in a few hours – try to unwind, okay?”

  Turning more directly to me he said, “Jaf, I knew about you long before we met. Your different names, looks, jobs – to those who follow such things, you’re a minor legend. I knew who I was partnering with when we joined up, and I know you’re our best bet to get us through this – not only get through, but make out like bandits – which I guess is appropriate.” At this he chuckled and smiled and waved to those below, now a teeming mass. Benignly gazing down he continued.

  “But the way you’ll do it is by being yourself, the crafty improvising man-of-action and guile with wiles and styles that make me smile, not a plodding plotting knotting dodderer. You’re the embodiment of chaos theory. The more you try to observe yourself and surroundings, the more uncertain you become.” He smiled and winked at me.

  “Go with what you’re good at. Sure, worry some, plan a bit, consider alternative scenarios, but know there’s no way this will play out the way you foresee it. Your strength’s not sooth-saying, and there are so many variables here that planning for a future that’s an extension of what’s here, when here is changing by the moment because of us – well, that’s not a real good use of time or energy, which are really the two most valuable things we have.” He blew some more kisses and pivoted back and forth, basking in their love and reflecting it back, magnified.

  “So, sure, sure, try to understand it, try to plan, but I’ll lay Heisenberg’s odds that it’ll all just be background for the scheme you hatch at the last moment, the parachute that blossoms just before you bounce.” Speaking of bouncing I looked over the parapet; a fall from this height would be very bad. Just how bad I learned soon enough.

  Still trying to calm me he went on. “And be comfortable with that. Nerves, fear and death are here. Practice your stretches, your breathing, and meditate. Our best plan is to be prepared for nothing and anything.” He broadcast kisses with open palms, then turned and we went back in.

  I had to admit he was right. I didn’t have the knowledge or skills or personnel to continue on the road I’d been going, and truth be told, I’d flashed on that when I saw the aide’s eyes dancing. Wanliet must have seen that too, and felt my vibe change, and now he was only telling my brain what my gut already knew.

  But as I’d watched him on the balcony, waving to the cheering throngs, another possibility hatched in my head. If this all blew up, if the PU group figured out he wasn’t the Inspector General, who else might he be? How else might we capitalize on our sudden appearance? What fallback personality would be safe from attack? And how might Wanliet’s cryptic comments and those two big balls fit into it all? Maybe some sort of future mystic experience could reshape the past.

  We could start a religion. Caliuga City likely wouldn’t be too happy, but the PU had missed a trick in organizing and motivating their people.

  Now I had more to think about, and really nothing to think about because so much that would happen would be beyond my control. Time to clear the mind.

  “Thanks” I nodded, and went off to do as my Inspector General had bade me, and enter the stillness.