Limit of Vision by Linda Nagata

Author:Linda Nagata
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction, biotechnology, near future, artificial intelligence, human evolution
ISBN: 9780983110064
Publisher: Mythic Island Press LLC
Published: 2011-01-17T17:00:00+00:00

chapter

25

“NOW THAT THE no-oct mutation is known, everything will change,” Ky said. His gaze moved from Virgil, to Oanh, to Ninh, and finally to Ela.

Crowded together as they were in this dimly lit room of the medical tent, Ela felt a nervous thrill, imagining them to be a secret cell, a radical conspiracy out to overthrow the corrupt status quo. Except there was nothing secret about this meeting. Each one of them was wearing farsights and any Roi Nuoc inside or out of the reservation could be monitoring what they said.

“The affable Nash Chou,” Ky continued, “has already presented the UN with strongly worded testimony calling for the IBC to act immediately and unilaterally to control the LOVs, and to control us—despite our government’s sovereign claims.” He shook his head. “We cannot expect Hanoi to resist such pressure for long. We are tolerated now because of nationalist sentiments and the promise of financial returns. But as pressure mounts, our support must crumble. We will be given up, turned over to our persecutors—unless we find stronger allies.”

Virgil stirred, leaning over the examination bench so that the light from the fluorescent ceiling strips fell directly on his face. “I won’t start a war over this, Ky. I won’t make a deal with another government, or sell out to corporate pirates.”

Ky was silent for a beat. Then, “I am so glad to hear it,” he said. “Given that foreigners have attempted to trade away this nation so many times before.”

Ela winced, while Virgil launched into a quick apology. “Ky, I didn’t mean—”

Ky raised his hand. “I am teasing, my friend. Of course we must aim for some level of sovereignty—which is why I’ve prepared a petition for the United Nations, to be signed by all of the Roi Nuoc—”

“They’re underage,” Ela objected, eyeing Oanh, who fidgeted on the physician’s stool.

“It doesn’t matter. We can’t allow it to matter. We must petition the UN to recognize the Roi Nuoc and their LOV symbionts as a distinct people. Recognition on this level will give us rights that even the IBC cannot overturn.”

“It would legalize the LOVs,” Virgil said. He sounded impressed. “At least, the symbiotic ones. But Ky, do you really think there’s a chance it could work?”

“Oh yes.” Ky stood by the door, his fist on his chin and a faraway look in his eyes as if he were posed for a propaganda shot . . . and when Ela considered the farsights that she and Ninh and Oanh wore, she saw it was exactly that way.

Ky said, “Just think on the stew of greed, of pride, of indignation, and nationalism we might play to our favor. This is politics on a remote and not easily accountable scale. There are many reasons for votes to be cast that have nothing to do with the merits of the issue.”

Ela could not share his optimism. “I don’t think you’re being realistic. The IBC would never allow it.”

“But that’s the beauty of it,” Virgil said. “It won’t be up to the IBC.

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