Modesitt, L.E. - The Octagonal Raven by Modesitt L.E

Author:Modesitt, L.E.
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter 45

Fledgling: Kewood, 446 N.E.

The glider dropped down coming off the last dip before leaving the redwoods, and the mulched bark of the lane crackled under the momentarily higher air pressure. The effect of the standard ground limiters bothered me, and I had an idea that, as time and finances permitted, I would be making more than a few modifications to the glider.

The air around me mixed the scent of firs with that of sun-warmed and dried grass. Then I was bringing the glider to a halt in the tree-shaded glider park that served UniComm. The midsummer sky was hazy as I walked up the polished gray stone steps to the black marble archway set into the hillside, beyond which lay the hidden spaces of UniComm, the largest communications organization anywhere in the human galaxy.

The guard in the green-trimmed gray singlesuit of UniComm security looked up politely. “Might I ask your business, ser?”

“I’m Daryn Alwyn, to see my father.”

“Yes, ser. Is your profile on the system?” His voice was slow and even, a sign of a brain-damped norm.

“I would guess so, but I honestly don’t know.”

He frowned, then touched the console. After a moment, he gestured toward the security gate. I stepped through, and the door beyond opened. After striding along the left-hand corridor, I marched up the inclined ramp past the museum cases displaying the history of communications equipment, beginning with drums and flags, and then models of messengers, first on foot, then on horseback, with dispatch cases.

The replica of the ancient telegraph always amused me, as did the small circular CRT screen that had led the way to VR technology.

“You can go in, ser,” said the guard by Father’s open door. “The director general is expecting you.”

Father’s office desk was merely a larger version of the antique cherry businessman’s desk at home —

and neither had changed in all the years I could remember. The office had the same green leather chairs, and even the same setup as his home study with the concealed vyrtor, but the office had three of the large cherry wood bookcases. Of course, there were no window hangings.

The door closed behind me, even before I’d taken two steps into the office that looked out over the inside courtyard.

“Sit down, Daryn. Sit down. You look fit and rested.” Father smiled. “We could have talked at home, but … I’m old-fashioned. Business should be discussed in the workplace. Otherwise, everything becomes business.”

That was one of the few maxims of Father’s that I had little trouble accepting. I nodded as I sat down in the green leather armchair directly across the polished cherry desk from him.

“There’s a great future for you — almost anywhere you want to go, Daryn.” My father smiled broadly.

“With the years as an FS officer, and your educational background, you could start in almost any section

of UniComm.…”

“Did you see the rough cut of the piece on Cydonya?” I asked.

“It’s very good. As a stand-alone, it will bring you a few credits, and you can use it to show the talent in UniComm that you understand them.

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